USF vs State Legislature

[Oldsmobull]

Maybe all the Tampa Bay legislators aren't helping USF because JD Alexander gets the legislators state provided deluxe health insurance for only $8/month in premium charges! These guys are outrageous raping citizens while taking care of themselves so nicely.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/lawmakers-have-better-health-care-plan-and-vote-keep-it-way#comments

[Reliable Source]

A copy of my latest missive. Let's not forget to keep writing House members and the Governor. This is far from a done deal.

negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov

You and your Senate colleagues are amazing. In opposition to the Faculty, Students, Board Member resignations and accreditation body, you have voted to split USF Poly from USF. You kowtowed to JD's ridiculous ego and proved how corrupt politicians really are, any more. You are now responsible for the start up of the most expensive Community College in American History. I hope you become famous for it. Something like the "School to Nowhere". And you wonder why we have budget problems. All of this in the face of chopping our Education Budgets in FL. I really hope you are proud of this landmark stand. It will become the legacy of this legislature.

[BaltoBull]

Could this be the real reason Alexander wants control of USF Poly so badly - the proposed Heartland Parkway which was shot down before but is now up for reconsideration once again? Is it a coincidence that the proposal would include the road being constructed on his land in Polk county and be located right next to USF Poly's campus allowing him to not only sell the land to the state for an inflated price but also develop the land surrounding the campus as his company did near the land Alico donated to FGCU?

http://www.tampabay....ed-state-budget

http://www.eaglenews.org/alico-west-upcoming-developments-underway-1.2391672#.T1EhEZh9nzI

[Ricky the Bull]

I just sent another email to my representative. Follow the BOG recommendations and don't allow us taxpayers to be burdened with this arbitrary, unnecessary and expensive piece of legislation.

[Dogma]

Mar. 2, 2012

Dear Alumni and Friends:

Thank you for your continuous support of The University of South Florida as the legislature works through the higher education budgeting and appropriation process. Although great progress has been made recently, there is still work to be done, and it is once again time for you to speak out loudly and clearly to the legislative leaders in Tallahassee.

With the House and Senate now in budget conferences, it is important that the following three messages are communicated, and it is critical that you include the reference to the University of Florida and Florida State University in your communication about fair and equitable treatment:

1. Any cuts to the USF System should be no different than the cuts to UF and FSU, thus ensuring fair and equitable treatment to Florida’s top three research institutions – USF, UF, and FSU.
   
2. The final budget must restore the $6 million for the USF College of Pharmacy.
   
3. The final budget must provide USF $18 million to support salaries/benefits for the USF Polytechnic faculty and staff who will be transferred to USF if Florida Polytechnic University is established.
   

An immediate phone call or e-mail from you and other influential leaders in the community stressing the above messaging would be greatly appreciated. Of course, please make sure to thank the legislator for his or her support to date and for the continued focus on a fair and equitable budget. You can contact the following seven senators or representatives by clicking here.

Speaker of the House Dean Cannon

Representative Will Weatherford

Representative Denise Grimsley

President of the Senate Michael Haridopolos

Senator Don Gaetz

Senator JD Alexander

Senator Jack Latvala

The outpouring of support for USF has been amazing over the past few weeks and we need a continued push until the budgeting process is completed. Thank you again for your continued support of our University.

In Bull Pride,

Rich Heruska

President

USF Alumni Association Bill McCausland

Executive Director

USF Alumni Association

[Bullshutter]

Mar. 2, 2012

Dear Alumni and Friends:

Thank you for your continuous support of The University of South Florida as the legislature works through the higher education budgeting and appropriation process. Although great progress has been made recently, there is still work to be done, and it is once again time for you to speak out loudly and clearly to the legislative leaders in Tallahassee.

With the House and Senate now in budget conferences, it is important that the following three messages are communicated, and it is critical that you include the reference to the University of Florida and Florida State University in your communication about fair and equitable treatment:

1. Any cuts to the USF System should be no different than the cuts to UF and FSU, thus ensuring fair and equitable treatment to Florida’s top three research institutions – USF, UF, and FSU.
   
2. The final budget must restore the $6 million for the USF College of Pharmacy.
   
3. The final budget must provide USF $18 million to support salaries/benefits for the USF Polytechnic faculty and staff who will be transferred to USF if Florida Polytechnic University is established.
   

An immediate phone call or e-mail from you and other influential leaders in the community stressing the above messaging would be greatly appreciated. Of course, please make sure to thank the legislator for his or her support to date and for the continued focus on a fair and equitable budget. You can contact the following seven senators or representatives by clicking here.

Speaker of the House Dean Cannon

Representative Will Weatherford

Representative Denise Grimsley

President of the Senate Michael Haridopolos

Senator Don Gaetz

Senator JD Alexander

Senator Jack Latvala

The outpouring of support for USF has been amazing over the past few weeks and we need a continued push until the budgeting process is completed. Thank you again for your continued support of our University.

In Bull Pride,

Rich Heruska

President

USF Alumni Association Bill McCausland

Executive Director

USF Alumni Association

This is another major sticking point during this session. The bill was written so that only UF and FSU would qualify (institution would have to reach 11 of 14 standards spelled out in the bill) for the market rate tuition. This would further the gap between top research universities.

Time for another email, phone call, etc...

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/20/2652095/uf-would-set-its-own-tuition-under.html

[Oldsmobull]

I hear you with the market rate tuition/preeminent university bill, but USF doesn't have time to fool with that right now and it won't really hurt USF. Let it become law, USF can qualify down the road same as FSU and UF without too much effort.

What is critical for USF now are the funding and Poly issues. Only a handful of legislative "leaders" will determine how much USF funding USF will or won't get in negotiations the next few days; same with Poly issue. All USF students, supporters and friends should as a minimum send in the email letter suggested by alumni association: http://capwiz.com/usfalumni/issues/alert/?alertid=61053756&PROCESS=Take+Action

[Ricky the Bull]

OK, taxpayers... it's time to stampede and email Gov. Scott to request that he VETO the USF Polytechnic split.

Here is a great editorial piece that can help you with your email:

http://www2.tbo.com/news/opinion/2012/apr/01/vwopino1-fiscal-prudence-demands-governor-veto-pol-ar-386849/

Also, a great op-ed piece from Sen. Dockery, who also represents Polk County:

http://www2.tbo.com/news/opinion/2012/mar/26/naopino2-the-man-behind-the-curtain-ar-384744/

Here is Gov. Scott's email page:

http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/

[IncrediBULL]

Done, emailed him......

[Paisa el Toro]

Email skeletor!