2008 Woodie Awards
State budget jam influences SIUE
Megan McClure
Issue date: 7/11/07 Section: News
Now six weeks past its original deadline, the Illinois state legislature continues to battle through budget talks. In the meantime, state agencies - including SIUE - wait with baited breath to find out their fates.
"He (Gov. Rod Blagojevich) hasn't been able to reconcile the difference on how to pay for it with the legislature," Assistant Vice Chancellor for Planning and Budgeting Rich Walker said.
The budget is determined in a four-step process. First, the university's allocation request for the 2008 fiscal year was filed last fall to be included in the Illinois Board of Higher Education recommended budget. Using information from the IBHE and other state agencies, the governor prepared a budget to present to the state legislature.
"For about four months, we've had the recommended budget for the governor," Budget Director Bill Winter said, noting that Blagojevich's budget was released March 7.
At this point, Winter explained, the legislature has the option to pass the proposed budget "as-is" or for a lesser amount. Since budget talks extended past the start of the fiscal year - July 1 - the legislature passed a temporary budget to keep state agencies functioning.
"That is basically enough to get us through the month of July," Winter said.
The university's operating budget, which is among the items being discussed in Springfield, covers budget elements such as administration and faculty salaries, as well as utilities. The amount allotted to SIUE in the temporary budget, or $5.3 million for July, is roughly one-twelfth of the university's annual budget.
"It's not to the penny," Winter said.
The university's operating budget comes from two sources: state allocations and tuition revenue.
With the month one-third complete and no end in immediate sight, Winter says the university has a plan in case the temporary budget expires before decisions are made. First, another temporary budget could be approved. If not, reserves from the university's income fund could be used until a budget is finalized.
"He (Gov. Rod Blagojevich) hasn't been able to reconcile the difference on how to pay for it with the legislature," Assistant Vice Chancellor for Planning and Budgeting Rich Walker said.
The budget is determined in a four-step process. First, the university's allocation request for the 2008 fiscal year was filed last fall to be included in the Illinois Board of Higher Education recommended budget. Using information from the IBHE and other state agencies, the governor prepared a budget to present to the state legislature.
"For about four months, we've had the recommended budget for the governor," Budget Director Bill Winter said, noting that Blagojevich's budget was released March 7.
At this point, Winter explained, the legislature has the option to pass the proposed budget "as-is" or for a lesser amount. Since budget talks extended past the start of the fiscal year - July 1 - the legislature passed a temporary budget to keep state agencies functioning.
"That is basically enough to get us through the month of July," Winter said.
The university's operating budget, which is among the items being discussed in Springfield, covers budget elements such as administration and faculty salaries, as well as utilities. The amount allotted to SIUE in the temporary budget, or $5.3 million for July, is roughly one-twelfth of the university's annual budget.
"It's not to the penny," Winter said.
The university's operating budget comes from two sources: state allocations and tuition revenue.
With the month one-third complete and no end in immediate sight, Winter says the university has a plan in case the temporary budget expires before decisions are made. First, another temporary budget could be approved. If not, reserves from the university's income fund could be used until a budget is finalized.
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