Dear MSP Members --

We are in the final push for funding of our contracts and public higher education in general.

Funding for our contracts is now included in House Bill 4868 which is sitting in Ways and Means.

At this point, communicating directly with the House and Senate Leadership is the most effective path toward moving our contract though to funding.

Please call House Speaker Robert DeLeo (617-722-2500) and Senate President Therese Murray (617-722-1500) and make the following points:

“After accepting significant contract concessions, faculty and staff are awaiting funding included in a supplemental budget item -- House Bill 4868.

Passage of this bill will provide sorely needed funds for public higher education after years of significant budget reductions.

Please take the necessary steps to make sure that this bill is funded.

Thank you for your attention to and support for public higher education and its workers.”

A second issue is complicated but involves a veto by the governor that prevents fringe benefits from being paid for public higher education employees supported by out-of-state tuition payments.  This veto must be reversed or it will cost UMass/Amherst alone $11M.

So… the statement to make is:

“The governor’s veto of the out-of-state tuition language places a tremendous burden on the UMass system.

The governor eliminated section W from Article 56, which addressed fringe benefit payments for public higher education employees.  This section must be restored to stabilize funding and provide fairness to employees working hard on behalf of UMass students.”

Thank you for your attention to these important matters.

The time to call is NOW.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo

617-722-2500

Senate President Therese Murray

617-722-1500

Randall Phillis

President, Massachusetts Society of Professors