TUESDAY MORNING NOTES - APRIL 8, 2014

[Jeff Silvertooth]

TMN submittal:
http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/tuesday/form/submittal_form.html 

Tuesday Morning Notes 

April 8, 2014

 

 

FROM THE DIRECTOR - Legislative Update - Cooperative Extension Funding

 

The Arizona State Legislature is currently considering the inclusion of
additional permanent funding for the Cooperative Extension (CE) allocation
in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at the University of
Arizona (UA).  I have written on this issue several times in the past and I
have discussed it many times in presentations within CALS and in working
with the public beyond the UA.  I am providing an update at this time in an
effort to communicate some basic facts about the budget process and the
current situation.

 

President Hart initiated the original funding proposal with a $3.8M request
to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) in 2013.   This proposal was
supported by all ABOR Presidents (UA, ASU, NAU, and the ABOR President) and
then sent to the Governor's office for review and consideration.  In January
2014 Governor Brewer included $3.5M additional permanent funding
specifically for CE in her budget for fiscal year 2015 (FY15).

 

During the current legislative session the Senate first released their
preliminary budget with $2.5M additional permanent funding for CE.  On the
first week of April the Arizona House of Representatives presented their
budget that included $3.5M for CE, the same as the Governor's budget.  The
Senate and the House have been in the process of negotiating the development
of a collective revised budget and they released a budget of $9.23B
yesterday, which is now before Governor Brewer for review.  The Governor
will review the budget presented by the legislature and decide whether to
sign or veto it.

 

Throughout this process a lot of work has been and continues to be directed
through appropriate channels in an effort to provide the information
necessary for the Arizona State legislators to make informed decisions
regarding this funding proposal for CE.  We will know the final result when
Governor Brewer signs a budget.

 

FOCUS ON PROGRAMS:

 

A Historical Moment - Fresh Water Meets the Sea of Cortez - On Sunday, March
23rd, 2014, the gates of the Morelos Dam were opened, initiating a release
of 105,392 acre-feet (approximately 34 billion gallons) of water into the
Colorado River delta.  The temporary "pulse flow" is expected to last about
eight weeks and will simulate historic flooding in the delta. This historic
release is part of a landmark agreement between the United States and Mexico
called Minute 319.  The two nations have agreed to dedicate this water to
restore this globally significant ecosystem.  As water educators in Arizona,
we know how important it is to bring relevant water news to our students and
fellow educators.  Arizona Project Wet (APW) would like to expand our
perspective and yours on this limited and very vital resource.  Through a
partnership with the Sonoran Institute, APW and the Arizona Sonora Desert
Museum will assist in this worthy project to restore the Colorado River
delta habitat.  We are heading to the delta on Wednesday, April 9.  To
follow the trip...read the blog posts <http://arizonawet.arizona.edu/blog> .
If you have questions about the Colorado River delta, write via Facebook or
azpwsocial at gmail.com and provide your name, school and question.  To be a
part of a trip, congregate at #pulseflow!, #COriver, #coloradoriver,
#minute319, #Raisetheriver or follow on Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaProjectWET> , Twitter (@AZProjectWET) or
Instagram (arizonaprojectwet ).

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

Friday, April 11, 9:00am-12:00noon, Willcox - A free workshop, sponsored by
Cochise County Cooperative Extension and the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and
Agriculture, on renewable energy opportunities for residential and
agricultural interests.  Contact Area Agent Mark Apel
<mailto:mapel at ag.arizona.edu>  for details.

 

 

Jeffrey C. Silvertooth
Associate Dean & Director, Extension & Economic Development 

Associate Director, Arizona Experiment Station

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
PO Box 210036
Tucson, AZ  85721-0036
520.621.7205
520.621.1314 (fax) 

 

To submit tips, suggestions, ideas for changes and anything that could help
us be more effective, use the "Director
<http://extension.arizona.edu/state/directors-suggestion-box> 's Suggestion
Box" - all submissions are anonymous.  

 

 

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