Office of Government Relations
Legislative Update - May 12, 2003

The Alabama Legislature continues to be ineffective as the Senate continues in a deadlock over rule changes and committee assignments. While the House of Representatives continues to pass some legislation both chambers are reluctant to take up the budgets until tax reform is addressed.

Governor Bob Riley announced Thursday that he would like to call a special session within the regular session. This special session is scheduled to convene on Monday, May 19. The House passed a resolution regarding this but the Senate adjourned without passage. The Senate is expected to pass this resolution some time this week. The special session is expected to end by June 6.

The Governor’s special session will address the issue of tax reform in our state. There is a high level of anticipation for tax reform. The Riley Administration, Campaign for Alabama, the Higher Education Partnership, and other education entities have been meeting for a long time to make sure the agenda is set for this special session. Gordon Stone and The Higher Education Partnership have been at the table and continue to work hard to make sure the voice of all our colleges and universities are heard.

As the legislative process moves forward, we will continue to keep all our faculty, staff, students, alumni, advocates and friends up to date. We will monitor the package of bills that are designed to produce additional revenue to shore up the budgetary shortfalls facing the State of Alabama. This is a call for action to all Troy State advocates during this special session. We want you to take an active role in reminding legislators of the importance of generating new revenue for our University.

“If you leave politics alone, politics will leave you alone – and that ain’t good”

GO TROJANS!