MMI Monthly 

The electronic newsletter of the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center

April 28, 2017
State budget decision may impact MMI 
                            
Dear MMI Monthly Readers,
 
On April 21, the Legislature's Appropriations Committee approved a state budget proposal for the next two fiscal years. That proposal is now under debate in the full Legislature.  In the course of this debate and in light of revised revenue projections from the forecasting board, it has been suggested that the university make up to $30 million in additional cuts. This would bring the University's total cuts to approximately $80 million.
 
How would this affect MMI? Simply, this would likely result in reduction of our services, increased waiting times, and cutbacks to our education and research activities.
 
I understand that these are turbulent financial times for our state, and that we will all have to share the burden. Yet, my deep personal belief is that the proposed budget cuts go too far, and are counterproductive and Draconian. My personal view is that:
 
1) In the current financial climate, the Legislature's Appropriations Committee budget proposal seems the most appropriate. This reduction of funds flow to the NU system is painful, but reasonable. Support the Appropriations Committee April 21st recommendation!

2) It is important that the University budget not be reduced more than the Appropriations Committee April 21st recommendation. Additional cuts would jeopardize the mission, quality and future of our amazing institutions and make it almost impossible to be competitive on the national and international stage.
 
However, I understand that some of you might have different views, yet we must be part of the same conversation. Should you have a strong view about the proposed budget, please, let your voice be heard!  I strongly encourage you to share your support or opposition to the budget with your state senator as soon as possible. If you choose to do so, the critical time for contact is between now and by the end of the day on Tuesday, May 2.
 
Thank you very much for considering this course of action.

The very best,
 
Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
The Munroe-Meyer Institute
 




State Senator Contact Information:
First
Last
Email
Legislative District
Joni
Albrecht
17
Roy
Baker
30
Carol
Blood
3
Kate
Bolz
29
Bruce
Bostelman
23
Lydia
Brasch
16
Tom
Brewer
43
Tom
Briese
41
Ernest
Chambers
11
Robert
Clements
2
Joni
Craighead
6
Sue
Crawford
45
Laura
Ebke
32
Steve
Erdman
47
Curt
Friesen
34
Suzanne
Geist
25
Michael
Groene
42
Steve
Halloran
33
Matt
Hansen
26
Burke
Harr
8
Mike
Hilgers
21
Robert
Hilkemann
4
Sara
Howard
9
Dan
Hughes
44
Richard
Kolowski
31
Mark
Kolterman
24
Robert
Krist
10
John
Kuehn
38
Tyson
Larson
40
Brett
Lindstrom
18
Lou Ann
Linehan
39
John
Lowe
37
John
McCollister
20
Mike
McDonnell
5
Adam
Morfeld
46
John
Murante
49
Patty
Pansing Brooks
28
Dan
Quick
35
Merv
Riepe
12
Jim
Scheer
19
Paul
Schumacher
22
Jim
Smith
14
John
Stinner
48
Tony
Vargas
7
Lynne
Walz
15
Dan
Watermeier
1
Justin
Wayne
13
Matthew
Williams
36
Anna
Wishart
27
 

Contact the Munroe-Meyer Institute
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402-559-5737 (fax)

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