Chancellor Michael Martin, along with other state higher education leaders, will testify today before the House Appropriations Committee about the University’s budgetary future at 9 a.m. in the State Capitol. Martin told faculty, staff and students in a broadcast e-mail sent Monday afternoon the administration will make every effort to convey several key points about the adverse effects a worst-case scenario cut would have on the University, The University is expected to take a nearly $50 million reduction in state funding for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposed state spending budget has higher education taking a $219 million reduction, on top of the now permanent $55 million mid-year cut, to help make up for slacking state revenue. “Louisiana’s Flagship university has made enormous progress over the past few decades,” Martin said in the e-mail. “The budget as proposed will undo the Flagship Agenda and set the University back in profound ways.”Martin said the cuts would lead to job loss and will negatively impact the Baton Rouge economy. Martin said the committee meeting is the first step in budget “conversations” with the Legislature. The session starts Monday.—-Contact Kyle Bove at [email protected]