2008 Woodie Awards
Meehan lobbies for ¢hange
JSU president hopes to net $5.3 million from legislature
Reagan Williams
Issue date: 2/2/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
"It's what presidents do all the time," said Dr. William Meehan, president of Jack-sonville State University, concerning lobbying for state funding.
Governor Bob Riley (R) has proposed a bill to allocate $500 million to all state-funded Alabama schools. The amount of money designated for each school was announced during last week's session.
$5.3 million has been earmarked for JSU.
Dr. Meehan's main purpose in Montgomery is to urge legislators to support this bill. He was at the capital last week and will continue to make weekly trips to campaign for this bill.
The revenue will be used for academic purposes, such as new computers and educational buildings. It cannot be used for dormitories or athletics.
Specifically, the money could be used for the new music building that JSU is hoping to build at McClellan.
JSU's allotment could also be used to expand the College of Education.
"It's all politics," said Jack Hopper, assistant to the Dr. Meehan.
There is currently a debate between the Democratic and Republican Parties concerning this bill.
Democrats question if there is actually $500 million available. They also question if the available money comes from the rainy day fund or the education trust fund.
Since this is an election year, this bill can directly affect the outcome of the upcoming election.
"There has been no state money awarded since I have been here," said Dr. Meehan. All new buildings and improvements to the campus have been funded through the JSU Foundation.
"It is very unusual for the education trust fund to have a $1 billion plus excess," said Hopper, "Jacksonville State would welcome it with open arms."
Governor Bob Riley (R) has proposed a bill to allocate $500 million to all state-funded Alabama schools. The amount of money designated for each school was announced during last week's session.
$5.3 million has been earmarked for JSU.
Dr. Meehan's main purpose in Montgomery is to urge legislators to support this bill. He was at the capital last week and will continue to make weekly trips to campaign for this bill.
The revenue will be used for academic purposes, such as new computers and educational buildings. It cannot be used for dormitories or athletics.
Specifically, the money could be used for the new music building that JSU is hoping to build at McClellan.
JSU's allotment could also be used to expand the College of Education.
"It's all politics," said Jack Hopper, assistant to the Dr. Meehan.
There is currently a debate between the Democratic and Republican Parties concerning this bill.
Democrats question if there is actually $500 million available. They also question if the available money comes from the rainy day fund or the education trust fund.
Since this is an election year, this bill can directly affect the outcome of the upcoming election.
"There has been no state money awarded since I have been here," said Dr. Meehan. All new buildings and improvements to the campus have been funded through the JSU Foundation.
"It is very unusual for the education trust fund to have a $1 billion plus excess," said Hopper, "Jacksonville State would welcome it with open arms."