Message from the President
May 21, 2020
Dear Colleagues:
As many of you may have already heard, state agencies and institutions of higher education received a letter from Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick and House Speaker Bonnen (State Leadership) yesterday asking that we “submit a plan identifying savings that will reduce general and general revenue related appropriations by five percent for the 2020-2021 biennium.”
We began preparing for this possibility in late February, and we will be able to meet the 5% reduction without any furloughs or layoffs. That is not to say, of course, that the 5% reduction comes without pain. We implemented a hiring freeze in March, and many of us have had to work even harder than usual because those positions were not filled. However, that is clearly less traumatic than furloughs or layoffs.
You may remember that we have prepared for reductions up to 15%. We are pleased that the current ask is for only 5%, but I should point out the comment on page 2 of the letter: “when the state revenue picture becomes clearer in the coming month, [it] may become necessary to make additional budget adjustments.”
While we hope that no further reductions are necessary, please be assured that we are well prepared.
Sincerely,
Guy Bailey
President