In a legislative session defined by fiscal uncertainty, lawmakers took until the final day of the session to come to a consensus on a budget for FY2011.  Passed by both chambers late Thursday, the budget gives favorable consideration to Georgia Tech and the University System of Georgia (USG) in a year when almost every agency will see funding cuts.  

At the top of Georgia Tech’s budget priority list was $7 million in bond funding to complete and equip the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.  The General Assembly included full funding in the budget to finish the project.

Tech also advocated for increases in allocations to the USG that would be spread among the system’s institutions.  The General Assembly allocated $113 million in response to an original request of $139.8 million in Formula Funds for day to day operations.  The legislature also approved funding of a Major Repair and Rehabilitation request of $75 million at $60 million.

Georgia Tech’s second capital budget priority was for construction of the Eco-Commons water relocation project.  The General Assembly allocated $300,000 for the project to cover initial design costs.  This incremental approach was also taken on the CULC, which was funded in part by the state over three separate fiscal years and budgets.

“Though not all of our budget priorities were fully funded this year, we are pleased with the investments that the General Assembly has made in Tech and the USG,” said Dene Sheheane, Executive Director of Government and Community Relations.  “The funding that has been committed will allow us to grow and position the Institute to  help drive the state’s economic recovery.”

The FY2011 budget now follows the FY2010 Amended budget, which was agreed to by both chambers last week, to the Governor’s Office.  Governor Perdue has until June 8th to approve or veto the budget.  He also maintains the ability to veto individual line items.  

Though the first four legislative priorities set by the Institute directly involved budget allocations, the final item on the list, while non-budgetary, could help with the tight budget year.  House Bill 1128 renewed an expiring provision that allows USG institutions to carry forward certain funds from one fiscal year to the next, giving administrators flexibility in Institute budgeting.  Securing passage of the bill was Tech’s final legislative priority.

“I am very appreciative of our partners in the House and Senate who advocated for Georgia Tech and helped us achieve our priorities,” Sheheane noted.  “I also want to thank my GT colleagues, Betsy Jackson and George Ray, for the incredible job they did in positioning Tech for a successful session.  I hope that our faculty, staff, alumni, and friends will join our office in thanking the Governor and members of the General Assembly for their support.”