From the Desk of Don Gehring                                                 Date: January 16, 2009

The General Assembly convened on Wednesday, January 14 for a “short” session of 45 days and is scheduled to adjourn on February 28.

State Budget

The projected shortfall for the biennium is expected to be approximately $3.5 billion out of a $77 billion budget.  VCU is working with area legislators as well as our nine alumni legislators on the following requests:

General Classroom Building.  Even though the current budget climate does not appear to be favorable for the state to authorize additional bond-funded capital construction projects, VCU will still attempt to seek the remaining $42 million necessary for a 102,000 square foot general classroom building on the Monroe Park Campus. (Chief Patrons:  Senator Marsh and Delegate Ingram.  Co-Patrons:  Senators McEachin and Watkins, and Delegates Abbitt, Athey, Dance, C. Jones, Landes, McClellan, J. Miller, Morgan, O’Bannon and Pollard).

Energy Expenses.  According to the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME), universities should expect a 20-30% increase in electricity rates.  VCU’s budget amendment is to increase funding to cover this projected increase in utility costs.  (Chief Patrons:  Senator McEachin and Delegate Morgan.  Co-Patrons:  Senators Marsh and Watkins, and Delegates Abbitt, Athey, Dance, C. Jones, Landes, McClellan, J. Miller, O’Bannon and Pollard).

Operating Expenses.  In the next year, VCU will see three new projects come online:  Medical Sciences Building II, the School of Dentistry Addition and the Health and Life Sciences Laboratory.  The budget amendment would request an increase in funding to cover the projected costs associated with the operations and maintenance of these three projects.  (Chief Patrons:  Senator McEachin and Delegate Morgan.  Co-Patrons:  Senators Marsh and Watkins, and Delegates Abbitt, Athey, Dance, C. Jones, Landes, McClellan, J. Miller, O’Bannon and Pollard). 

Key Legislation

Currently 1555 bills have been introduced as well as 228 resolutions.  We are tracking 123 education and administration bills and 180 health bills.  Some highlights include:

VCU Legislative Priorities

Medical Malpractice Liability (SB 843, SB 1389).  In recent years, the medical malpractice cap has increased in increments to the maximum allowed of $2 million, which took effect on July 1, 2008.  Senator Marsh’s SB 843 increases the malpractice cap to $2.75 million on July 1, 2009 and each year after, will use an inflation factor for an additional increase.  SB 1389, patroned by Senator Stolle, takes a different approach and creates the Patient Compensation Fund, which would pay out to the patient anything in excess of the $2 million.  As currently written, this program would be funded by mandatory provider fees. 

Certificate of Public Need (HB 1598, HB 1981, HB 2451). Three pieces of legislation have been introduced relating to hospital regulation or Certificate of Public Need (COPN), and have subsequently been rolled into one bill, Delegate Hamilton’s HB 1598.  Reported out of committee on Thursday, HB 1598 modernizes and clarifies the COPN law.  Within the bill, the current 21 criteria that the Commissioner of Health shall consider have been consolidated and narrowed down to only eight.  The eighth criterion pertains to academic health centers, and VCU will work with Delegate Hamilton on some technical changes that are required.

Campus Security/Guns on Campus (HB 1656).  Delegate Robert Marshall has introduced legislation to allow faculty at Virginia’s colleges and universities to possess a handgun if they have a concealed weapons permit. 

Admissions criteria.  (HB 1696, HB 2324, HB 2325, HB 2475).  Multiple bills have been introduced trying to increase the admissions of in-state students.  HB 1696, by Delegate Albo, requires state colleges and universities to increase their in-state percentage to the minimum of 80%.  Delegate Hugo is patroning HB 2475 which would require 75% of students to be considered in-state.  Delegate Athey introduced HB 2324 and HB 2325 which would require universities to have a minimum of 70% of their freshman class and 80% of their transfer students be considered in-state students.   

If you have questions, contact Don Gehring (dcgehrin@vcu.edu) or Mark Smith (mesmith@vcu.edu). Our office phone number is: 804-828-1235.