Governmental Relations Update
February 25, 2013
Last week was extremely busy in Montgomery. Higher Education was involved in two bills
regarding distant education and on-line course reciprocity agreements between states. Both
bills passed House and Senate committees and are in line behind hundreds of others bill to be
considered by the members of the House and Senate. Hopefully, we can have them added to a
special order calendar which moves them to the head of the line.
For those of you interested in the distant education legislation that will allow individual boards
of trustees to set tuition rates for courses offered across state lines through distance learning,
and avoid the requirement to charge out-of-state students double the in-state rate, you will be
happy to know that Representative Jamie Ison was successful in getting her version of the bill
out of committee on Wednesday. Please take a moment to thank her by calling her
Montgomery office at 334-242-7711. If she is in the House Chamber leave a message.
Recently, I emailed you concerning the RSA Board of Control elections. In the email I expressed
the importance of retaining board members who would protect retirement system funding
from being diversion for current needs. I am happy to report that through your efforts, we were
successful, and the two incumbents who have demonstrated their desire to maintain a healthy
retirement system were reelected. As always, you responded quickly and in great numbers,
and it made a difference.
Don’t forget Higher Education Day in Montgomery is this Thursday, February 28th. The rally
begins at 11:00 a.m. on the State House steps. USA participants are asked to join Southwest
Alabama Legislators for a noon lunch at the RSA Plaza 6th Floor Terrace (across the street from
the State House). If you would like to ride the bus, please reserve a seat by emailing:
govrel@southalabama.edu. If you plan to drive yourself, but want to attend the lunch, we also
need to hear from you.
Happy Fulford
Executive Director
Office of Governmental Relations