The state Legislature passed a budget last week that “sweeps” funds from the University and disqualifies the state from receiving almost $1 billion in federal stimulus money, according to an ASU press release.

The sweep reduces funding by $90 million and “violates the federal government’s requirement that the aggregate level of Arizona’s support for higher education not be reduced below specified levels,” according to the release.

But Gov. Jan Brewer can still veto the budget.

Senate President Bob Burns told the Associate Press he would delay sending the package’s 10 bills to Brewer so she and legislative leaders can meet to discuss ways to reach an agreement on the budget and other issues.

President Michael Crow released a statement Tuesday in support of Brewer’s budget proposal and against the sweeps.

He said even though the governor’s proposed budget included lots of cuts for the University, it was better than the proposed legislative budget.

“Those cuts are substantially less than the total cuts in the proposed legislative budget, [which] includes an additional $90 million in university auxiliary fund sweeps,” he said.

Auxiliary fund sweeps include “payments students have made for self-supporting services such as the book store, residence halls and cafeterias,” he said.

Crow said he believes auxiliary fund sweeps are illegal, since they are not state-appropriated dollars.

Virgil Renzulli, the vice president of public affairs, confirmed Crow’s statement.

“We don’t think it’s legal to even take that money,” Renzulli said.
Crow’s statement also mentioned that “the governor’s budget restores the SPEED package.”

Renzulli said this is necessary for building repairs and to give work to construction workers.

“Some of our buildings are in extremely bad shape,” he said.
Some buildings that would be renovated include the Bateman Physical Sciences Center and the Durham Language and Literature Building.

Reach the reporter at
reweaver@asu.edu