The Louisiana Flagship Coalition has been working with Gov. Bobby Jindal’s staff and key legislators to craft legislation that would give LSU and other state universities more flexibility in how they can use self-generated revenue. “We have really gotten down to the fine print on the legislation,” says Lamar Advertising CEO Sean Reilly, the coalition’s co-chair. Most of the group’s agenda will be embedded in amendments to last year’s LA GRAD Act, in a package the governor supports that is sometimes called GRAD Act 2.0. Much of what the coalition originally proposed for LSU—the agenda includes a new procurement code for the university, more autonomy on capital projects that don’t draw general fund dollars, and more flexibility in money management—potentially will be applied to universities across the state. “For what the Flagship Coalition is pushing, 95% of it is embedded in the GRAD Act legislation that touches all the campuses, and that’s a good thing,” Reilly says. House Speaker Jim Tucker is expected to be the lead author of the legislation, Reilly says. Negotiations are ongoing with the Civil Service Commission to give LSU greater flexibility on civil service rules, and with the state Office of Group Benefits to expand access to LSU First, an alternative benefits package LSU offers. Changes to LSU’s participation in the state pension system are trickier and will probably have to wait until next year, Reilly says. The Flagship Coalition has retained Courson Nickel for lobbying, and Harris, DeVille & Associates will craft the group’s public relations message. For more information, visit the coalition’s website here. —David Jacobs
Today’s poll question: Do you consider college tuition hikes to be a tax increase?
