e-TrueBlue: Michigan Advocate
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March 2005

Welcome to e-TrueBlue: Michigan Advocate, a monthly update written especially for U-M Legislative Advocates. Please pass this along to other U-M alumni and friends and encourage them to join the Legislative Advocacy program.

For the latest advocacy news, visit the Alumni Association at
http://alumni.umich.edu/advocacy/index.php

Capitol Corner
Since our last update, state budget news took the stage for several important presentations. State Budget Director Mary Lannoye, presented the fiscal year 2006 executive budget to members of the Legislature on February 10 and also delivered the Executive Order, which calls for fiscal year 2005 reductions in a number of areas, including higher education. The first Executive Order was adopted with some modifications by the House, but rejected by the Senate. In subsequent negotiations, the governor, House and Senate reluctantly agreed on reductions in higher education, about $30 million dollars in total ($5.6 million to the UM-Ann Arbor campus), but also agreed that if state revenues were sufficiently ahead of previous estimates for the current fiscal year, then the cuts might be reduced or avoided altogether. In addition, as a part of the negotiations on the Executive Order, legislative leaders and the governor agreed to provide capital outlay support to a number of colleges, universities and community colleges in the current fiscal year that would stimulate the economy with new construction jobs. UM-Ann Arbor intends to use about $20 million in state support to renovate Observatory Lodge, the Student Activities Building and the Phoenix Memorial Laboratory Building. This support is very welcome news.

The House Appropriations subcommittee on Higher Education began taking testimony on March 16, led by chair John Stewart (R-Plymouth). President Mary Sue Coleman spoke on March 23 of the budget challenges that the University is facing in light of the recommendations made for the 2006 budget and described the measures being taken to maintain academic quality and accessibility. More on the 2006 budget will be described in a future issue of e-TrueBlue: Michigan Advocate.

Michigan Facts
April 12, 1955 was a remarkable day. An announcement made at 10 a.m. at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor literally changed the world: Dr. Thomas Francis Jr. announced that the new Salk polio vaccine was “safe, effective, and potent.” Thanks to Francis’ work, the worldwide eradication of polio began. The University of Michigan is celebrating this historic day with anniversary events on Tuesday, April 12, at Rackham Auditorium. There will be panel discussions, video featuring historic footage of the announcement, and more. To learn more about the 50th anniversary program, visit www.polio.umich.edu/.

U-M around the State
The University of Michigan will make a college education more accessible and affordable with a new financial aid program, called M-PACT, that increases grants and reduces loans for more than 2,900 in-state undergraduates at the Ann Arbor campus. The University will provide an initial $9 million in seed money to jump-start the program. M-PACT will increase the need-based grant assistance to $12,200 per year for students at the lowest income level—those from families whose financial circumstances make the students eligible for a full Pell grant. M-PACT aid will top off the University's existing financial aid package with additional grants of $1,500, $1,000 or $500, depending upon the student's financial need. In every case, the new aid produces a dollar for dollar reduction in loans. President Mary Sue Coleman said, “We are determined to tear down the barrier of cost for Michigan students of every financial circumstance. To do less is to shortchange our state and our society, as well as our students.” To read more on this topic, visit www.umich.edu/news/index.html?Releases/2005/Feb05/r022805.

Call to Action
Thank you to all advocates who sent in suggestions of other alumni to join our advocacy efforts. All advocates who responded were entered into a drawing to win a $100 Zingerman’s gift certificate. The winner is Louis Pocalujka of WiIlliamston, Michigan. Congratulations, Lou!

Although phone calls and emails to legislators are effective, in person meetings are even better and can be scheduled when the legislator is in your home district, usually on Mondays and Fridays. It’s easy to call and schedule a 30-minute appointment. Find a list of senators at http://www.senate.michigan.gov/SenatorInfo/alphabetical_list_of_senators2003.htm or representatives at http://www.house.mi.gov/replist.asp. Identify yourself as a constituent and a U-M graduate interested in discussing higher education issues. Review the “Key Messages” document at http://alumni.umich.edu/advocacy/links.php before you go. And, remember to keep us informed by filling out the legislator contact form at http://alumni.umich.edu/advocacy/links.php.

Wolverines under the Dome
Representative Pam Byrnes (D-Ann Arbor) says she is skilled at seeing both sides of an issue—maybe because she’s the product of a Wolverine and a Buckeye!
Learn more about her at http://alumni.umich.edu/advocacy/ma_byrnes.php.

Resources
For the latest advocacy news, visit the Alumni Association at http://alumni.umich.edu/advocacy/index.php.

To find your state senator, visit http://www.senate.michigan.gov/SenatorInfo/find-your-senator.htm.
To find your state representative, visit www.house.mi.gov/find_a_rep.asp.