Welcome to the Update Archives!
2003

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
December 19, 2003, 2003 Update

Deal Struck on State Budget Deficit Bond and Spending Limit [Posted 12/19/03]

Governor Provides $2.65 Billion to Local Governments [Posted 12/19/03]

State Taxes Up 3.2% through October 2003 [Posted 12/19/03]

Judge Rejects SB 2 Repeal for March Ballot [Posted 12/19/03]

High Expectations, Modest Means by PPIC Is Excellent Summary of California's Challenge
[Posted 12/19/03]

Workers' Compensation Stays on the Front Burner [Posted 12/19/03]

Ask SSC . . . Should We Use the "2 + 2" Option in Our District? [Posted 12/19/03]

Ask SSC . . . How Long Will a District Be Required to Show Cost Savings If it Implements AB 1207? [Posted 12/19/03]

Ask SSC . . . Can the 2 + 2 Be Offered to Only Certificated Administrators? [Posted 12/19/03]

Ask SSC . . . Can We Require a Social Security Card as a Condition of Employment? [Posted 12/19/03]

By the Way . . . School Facilities Bond to Appear on March 2004 Ballot [Posted 12/19/03]

By the Way . . . IRS Increases Limitations for Elective Deferrals [Posted 12/19/03]

By the Way . . .Colorado Voucher Law Voided [Posted 12/19/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
November 26, 2003, 2003 Update

Blockbuster Day at Capitol [Posted 11/26/03]

  Additional Details of LAO Forecast [Posted 11/26/03]

Legislature Convenes "Special Session" [Posted 11/26/03]

Workers' Compensation Reform -- Part II [Posted 11/26/03]

School Bond on the March 2004 Ballot May Be In Jeopardy [Posted 11/26/03]

Our State Has a Peeking Sun and Mostly Peeking Audience for the State's Unique and Historic Inauguration Day [Posted 11/26/03]

Ask SSC . . . What Are the Liabilities and Exposures a District Could Face with Private "Golden Handshake" Programs? [Posted 11/26/03]

Ask SSC . . . Would You Provide More Information on the "Golden Handshake" [Posted 11/26/03]

Ask SSC . . . What Does the Window Period Mean for the "Golden Handshake" [Posted 11/26/03]

Ask SSC . . . What Does AB 719 Mean for Classified Personnel Retiring This Year? [Posted 11/26/03]

By the Way . . . New Speaker of the Assembly Chosen [Posted 11/26/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
November 14, 2003, 2003 Update

LAO Forecasts Higher State Tax Revenues, but $10 Billion Budget Gap--Jumping to More Than $17 Billion if Car Tax is Repealed [Posted 11/14/03]

  Board of Governors Approve 2004-05 System Budget [Posted 11/14/03]

  Proposed State Spending Cap Appears to Lock in Low School Funding [Posted 11/14/03]

  Schwarzenegger's Proposed Property Tax Shift Would Affect Proposition 98 Funding [Posted 11/14/03]

  U.S. Bank Economist Reflects Positive State and National Growth [Posted 11/14/03]

  School Bond Measure is Proposition 55 on The March 2004 Ballot [Posted 11/14/03]

  Schwarzenegger Fills Top Administrative Posts [Posted 11/14/03]

  Ask SSC . . . What Costs Should Be Included in the Formula for Determining the 2+2 Incentive Option? [Posted 11/14/03]

  Ask SSC . . . What Are the Advantages of Using a Private Company for Retirement Options?
[Posted 11/14/03]

  Ask SSC . . . Waht Does the Window Period Mean for the "Golden Handshake"? [Posted 11/14/03]

  Ask SSC . . . Is a "Soft Cap" the Best Way to Go for Health Benefits? [Posted 11/14/03]

  Ask SSC . . . Do Board Members Who Serve More than 12 Years Receive Lifetime Benefits?
[Posted 11/14/03]

  By the Way . . . No Full-Time Faculty Hiring Obligation for Fall 2004 [Posted 11/14/03]

  By the Way . . . It's Official [Posted 11/14/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
October 31, 2003, 2003 Update

Is There Really Any Legitimate Way to Balance the State Budget? [Posted 10/31/03]

AB 290 Affects More Than the Layoff Notice Time Frame [Posted 10/31/03]

Should Part-Time Faculty Be Treated Like Full-Time Faculty? [Posted 10/31/03]

Alternatives for Financing California's Higher Education System [Posted 10/31/03]

Recapture of FTES During College Emergency Closures [Posted 10/31/03]

2002-03 Fourth Quarter Lottery Apportionment [Posted 10/31/03]

EMCN Meets Herculean Challenge of Test Claim Filing [Posted 10/31/03]

Ask SSC . . . Could We Establish Multi-Caps for Health Benefits? [Posted 10/31/03]

Ask SSC . . . Is There a Better Success Rate for Bond Elections in a Special Election or a General Election? [Posted 10/31/03]

Ask SSC . . . How Important is the Workers' Compensation Form in Bids for Projects? [Posted 10/31/03]

By the Way . . . PERS Employer Rate Estimated to Increase to 12.2 Percent [Posted 10/31/03]

By the Way . . . The Recall Election Sure Wasn't Politics as Usual [Posted 10/31/03]

By the Way . . . W. K. Kellogg Foundation Funds Community College Leadership Study [Posted 10/31/03]

By the Way . . . 2004 Mileage Rates Set [Posted 10/31/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
October 17, 2003, 2003 Update

The Recall--What Happens Next? [Posted 10/17/03]

Will Governor-elect Schwarzenegger Support Community Colleges [Posted 10/17/03]

Governor-elect Schwarzenegger Could Have an Early Say on Who is a Member of the Community College Board of Governors [Posted 10/17/03]

Davis Takes Final Action on Legislation as Governor [Posted 10/17/03]

Governor Davis Signs Employer-Paid Health Care Bill [Posted 10/17/03]

Governor Signs Workers' Comp Bills [Posted 10/17/03]

Governor Davis Vetoes PERS Golden Handshake Bill [Posted 10/17/03]

Community College System May Have A New Chancellor By November [Posted 10/17/03]

Proposition 39 Audits and the Management of Bond Funds [Posted 10/17/03]

Ask SSC . . . Is There a New Law to Prevent "Bluffing" in Negotiations? [Posted 10/17/03]

Ask SSC . . . Will We Really See a Funded COLA in 2004-05? [Posted 10/17/03]

Ask SSC . . . Could You Provide More Clarification on AB 1207? [Posted 10/17/03]

Ask SSC . . . Is Out-of-State Sick Leave Transferable into California? [Posted 10/17/03]

By the Way . . . Community College Leader Appointed to Governor Schwarzenegger's Transition Team [Posted 10/17/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
October 3, 2003, 2003 Update

Financing California's Higher Education System [Posted 10/3/03] 

Chancellor's Office Confirms Distribution of $25 Million Reduction [Posted 10/3/03]

Economy Looks Up, but Dark Clouds Hover over State's Fiscal Status [Posted 10/3/03]

Status Report of Important Higher Education Bills During 2003 [Posted 10/3/03]

Master Plan for Education and Community College Governance [Posted 10/3/03]

Commission Relies on Kern Case to Deny Mandates [Posted 10/3/03]

Ask SSC . . . Could You Provide More Clarification on AB 1207? [Posted 10/3/03]

Ask SSC . . . Will We Need to Provide Health Benefits to Part-Time Employees under SB2? [Posted 10/3/03]

Ask SSC . . . Can You Explain the Gann Limit Calculation? [Posted 10/3/03]

By the Way . . . Proposition 53 Hurts Education [Posted 10/3/03]

By the Way . . . Budget Initiative Appears Headed for March 2004 Ballot [Posted 10/3/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
September 19, 2003 Update

Budget Trailer Bill Makes Its Way to the Governor [Posted 9/19/03]

Golden Handshake Legislation for Ca;PERS Members on Governor's Desk [Posted 9/19/03]

Legislature Adjourns 2003 Session [Posted 9/19/03]

Health Care Bill Adds Cost for Schools [Posted 9/19/03]

Workers' Comp Reform Bill Goes to the Governor [Posted 9/19/03]

Community College Enrollments are Dropping [Posted 9/19/03]

Board of Governors Adopts New 75/25 Regulations [Posted 9/19/03]

Ask SSC . . . Now that the STRS Golden Handshake (AB 1207) Has Been Signed by the Governor
[Posted 9/19/03]

Ask SSC . . . Can a District Join the State Disability Insurance Program? [Posted 9/19/03]

By the Way . . . Assembly Higher Education Committee to Study Community College Funding
[Posted 9/19/03]

By the Way . . . Recall Election Postponed by Court [Posted 9/19/03]

By the Way . . . Colleges Sued Over Concurrently Enrolled Students [Posted 9/19/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
September 5, 2003 Update

Revised Advance Apportionment Reflects Adopted State Budget [Posted 9/5/03]

Budget Initiative Gains Steam--How Would Major Recall Candidates Handle Budget Deficits? 
[Posted 9/5/03]

Workers' Compensation Reform May Happen This Year [Posted 9/5/03]

Audit Highlights Workers' Comp Weaknesses [Posted 9/5/03]

Definition of "Confidential Employee" Narrowed by SB 253 [Posted 9/5/03]

What Bills are Still Alive in the Legislative Process? [Posted 9/5/03]

Committee on State Mandates Adjourns for Session [Posted 9/5/03]

Senate Republicans Not Voting for Governor Davis' Appointees [Posted 9/5/03]

Ask SSC . . . When Does the Management Discussion and Analysis Need to Be Completed? [Posted 9/5/03]

By the Way . . . UC Cuts off Admissions to Community College Students [Posted 9/5/03]

By the Way . . . Mandate Audit Bulletin Board is Up and Running [Posted 9/5/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
August 22, 2003 Update

Final Analysis of the 2003-04 State Budget [Posted 8/22/03]

Community College Budget Proposal for 2004-05 First Draft [Posted 8/22/03]

Worker's Compensation Reform--The Last Remaining Policy Discussion for The 2003 Legislative Session [Posted 8/22/03]

Board of Governors Legislative Program for 2004 [Posted 8/22/03]

Golden Handshake Update and Alternatives [Posted 8/22/03]

Ask SSC . . . What Is the Best Way to Bid Contracts? [Posted 8/22/03]

By the Way . . . More on the Recall [Posted 8/22/03]

Attachment A -- Independent Golden Handshake Plan Providers Offer Information [Posted 8/22/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
August 8, 2003 Update

Governor Signs Budget [Posted 8/8/03]

Finally--A Budget [Posted 8/8/03]

Expect Mid-Year Cuts--New State Budget Gives Governor New Authority To Reduce Budgets
[Posted 8/8/03]

Proposition 98--What Can Community Colleges and K-14 Education Expect? [Posted 8/8/03]

Legislature Returns on August 18 To Complete 2003 Session [Posted 8/8/03]

Title 5 Regulations--Full-Time Faculty Hiring Obligation [Posted 8/8/03]

Ask SSC. . .  Now That We Have a State Budget, When Do We Get Our Money? [Posted 8/8/03]

Ask SSC . . . Can Districts Improve Their Financial Position by Using Cash Basis Accounting?
[Posted 8/8/03]

By the Way . . . Legislative End Run Continues Classic Labor-Management Battle over Binding Arbitration [Posted 8/8/03]

By the Way . . . Governor Vetoes Field Act Legislation--Again [Posted 8/8/03]

By the Way . . . State Supreme Court will not Stop Recall Vote [Posted 8/8/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
July 25, 2003 Update

Budget Goes to Governor [Posted 7/30/03]

State Senate Budget Deal [Posted 7/30/03]

Day 25--Are We Any Closer to A State Budget Being Adopted? [Posted 7/25/03]

Senate Budget Deal Would Spare Education from Further Cuts [Posted 7/25/03]

State Superintendent O'Connell to Seek Petition to Force Budget Resolution [Posted 7/25/03]

Senator Jack Scott Introduces Legislation As An Alternative To SB 6 [Posted 7/25/03]

What Is The Status Of Golden Handshake Legislation [Posted 7/25/03]

The Recall . . .  Questions and Answers [Posted 7/25/03]

Late State Budgets Spur A Surplus of Initiatives [Posted 7/25/03]

Are Californian's Fiscal Ailments Contagious? [Posted 7/25/03]

Assembly Special Committee on State Mandates To Consider Education Mandates on July 28
[Posted 7/25/03]

By the Way . . . Racial Privacy Initiative Opposed [Posted 7/25/03]

By the Way . . . Is Anybody Facing a Cash Shortage [Posted 7/25/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
July 11, 2003 Update

Day 10 Budget Update [Posted 7/11/03]

Community College Stabilization Funding Reduced From Three Years to One [Posted 7/11/03]

A Third Round of Mid-Year Cuts Approved Under Deadline [Posted 7/11/03]

Concurrent Enrollment Legislation Amended and Approved by Assembly Higher Education and K-12 Education Communities [Posted 7/11/03]

Senate Education Committee Takes Action on Legislation Affecting Community Colleges [Posted 7/11/03]

The Requirement to Book the Full Current Liability for Postemployment Health Benefits Is On Its Way [Posted 7/11/03]

STRS Sues to Get Back State Contribution [Posted 7/11/03]

Governor Appoints New Member to Commission on State Mandates [Posted 7/11/03]

2002-03 Third Quarter Lottery Apportionment [Posted 7/11/03]

Ask SSC. . . Will School Employees' Wages Drop to Minimum Wage in August without a State Budget? [Posted 7/11/03]

By the Way . . . Voters Supporting Raising Taxes for Schools [Posted 7/11/03]

By the Way . . . Recall Supporters May Have Enough Signatures [Posted 7/11/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
June 27, 2003 Update

No State Budget by June 30 [Posted 6/27/03]

State Can't Pay Categorical Aid or Community Colleges Without a Budget, Says State Controller 
[Posted 6/27/03]

Budget Lines Remain Sharply Drawn Across Senate [Posted 6/27/03]

Recall Talk Overshadows Budget Debates [Posted 6/27/03]

Controller Pulls Vehicle License Fee Trigger [Posted 6/27/03]

Chancellor's Office Issues Second Principal Apportionment for 2003-03 [Posted 6/27/03]

Community College Budget for Fiscal Year 2004-05 [Posted 6/27/03]

Public Educational Agencies Could Be Forced to Pay Higher Fees to Utility Districts [Posted 6/27/03]

Full-Time Faculty Hiring Obligation [Posted 6/27/03]

Chancellor's Office Proposes Changes to Open Recruitment Regulations [Posted 6/27/03]

Latest Partnership for Excellence System Progress Report [Posted 6/27/03]

Expansion of Mandated Cost Reimbursements for Community Colleges [Posted 6/27/03]

Ask SSC . . . Could You Help with Some COPs Questions [Posted 6/27/03]

By the Way . . . California Identified as Worst State When it Comes to Budget Matters [Posted 6/27/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
June 13, 2003 Update

Budget Conference Committee Stops Short of Doing Their Job [Posted 6/13/03]

Deferred Apportionments Will be Accrued by the State [Posted 6/13/03]

New Regulations For Concurrent Enrollment of Pupils In High School and Community Colleges
[Posted 6/13/03]

Labor Bills Affecting Community Colleges [Posted 6/13/03]

Chancellor's Office Releases Concurrent Enrollment Report [Posted 6/13/03]

School Districts Hold Local Elections [Posted 6/13/03]

By the Way . . . Early Release Copies of New Income Tax Withholding Tables Now Available 
[Posted 6/13/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
May 16, 2003 Update

Governor's 2003-04 Budget--May Revision--Cuts to Community Colleges Reduced [Posted 5/15/03]

April State Tax Collections: Down, but Not That Much [Posted 5/16/03]

PERS School Employer Rate Increases to 10.42% [Posted 5/16/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
May 2, 2003 Update

PERS Schools Employer Rate Expected to be 10.420% [Posted 5-2-03]

 Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 Reviews Community College Budget [Posted 5-2-03]

The Community College "Fair Share" Budget [Posted 5/2/03]

Assembly Republicans Come to the Budget Table -- Release Alternative Budget Proposal [Posted 5/2/03]

The "Budget Accountability Act" Could Mean No More Late State Budgets [Posted 5/2/03]

2002-03 Proposition 98 Funding Being Cut Again through Deferrals and Reappropriations [Posted 5/2/03]

Legislators to Review The Community College Funding Mechanism [Posted 5/2/03]

Apportionments Deferrals: to Accrue or Not to Accrue? [Posted 5/2/03]

Concurrent Enrollment "Audit" Update [Posted 5/2/03]

Low-Interest Loans Now Available for Energy Efficiency Projects [Posted 5/2/03]

What's Happening to Key Bills Affecting Community Colleges? [Posted 5/2/03]

Golden Handshake Bills Continue to Move Through Legislature [Posted 5/2/03]

Ask SSC . . . What is the Fiscal Impact of AB 626 Regarding the Use of 15-Passenger Vans
[Posted 5/2/03]

Ask SSC . . . Do We Need to Make a STRS Deduction from a One-Time "Off-the-Schedule" Salary Payment? [Posted 5/2/03]

Ask SSC . . . Who are Confidential Employees? [Posted 5/2/03]

By the Way . . . Californians Expect Tax Increase [Posted 5/2/03]

By the Way . . . Californian's Bond Debt Has High Cost [Posted 5/2/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
April 18, 2003 Update

 It's Spring--The Legislature Takes A Week Off As Budget Impasse Continues [Posted 4/18/03]

Differential Fee to Be Dropped From Proposed Student Fee Bill [Posted 4/18/03]

STRS Retirement Gets Boost from Assembly Bills [Posted 4/18/03]

AB 1051 Clarifies Additional Charges from Public Utility Companies [Posted 4/18/03]

Ask SSC . . . How is Funding Affected by Declining Enrollment? [Posted 4/18/03]

Ask SSC . . . Will the 2003-04 PERS Rate Be 9.5% ? [Posted 4/18/03]

By the Way . . . Governor Appoints Three Board of Governors Members [Posted 4/18/03]

By the Way . . . Republican Party Opposes Statewide School Bond [Posted 4/18/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
April 4, 2003 Update

 No Action on State Budget Until May Revise [Posted 4/4/03]

Education Committees Take Action on Community College Bills [Posted 4/4/03]

Community Colleges Receive Grant to Create High Schools [Posted 4/4/03]

Court Ruling Could Hasten State Budget Process [Posted 4/4/03]

Ask SSC . . . Can We Offer Classified Employees a Reduced Workload with Full Retention of Health and Welfare Benefits? [Posted 4/4/03]

Ask SSC . . . Can We Reduce Bargaining Unit Pay Without Reducing the Number of Days Worked? [Posted 4/4/03]

Ask SSC . . . What Would Be the Impact of a 7% Across-the-Board Cut to Education? [Posted 4/4/03]

By the Way . . . Community Colleges Gain Support [Posted 4/4/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
March 21, 2003 Update

Mid-Year Budget Cuts Enacted at Last [Posted 3/21/03]

Coalition Formed to Seek The Repeal of SB 1419 (Service Contracts) [Posted 3/21/03]

Another Approach to Student Enrollment Fees--"Differential Fee" Is Back [Posted 3/21/03]

Golden Handshake Legislation Introduced [Posted 3/21/03]

Community College Students March on State Capitol--Will it Matter [Posted 3/21/03]

California Supreme Court Decision Could Subject Local Educational Agencies to Greater Liability for Open Disability Claims [Posted 3/21/03]

CalPERS Board Adopts Regulations to Give Local Agencies More Time to Terminate Health Benefit Contracts [Posted 3/21/03]

Ask SSC . . . How Do We Justify Layoffs of Certificated Employees and Plan for Next Year ?
[Posted 3/21/03]

Ask SSC . . . Do the Mandate Deferrals in SBX1 18 Apply to 2002-03 Claims ? [Posted 3/21/03]

By the Way . . . Governor Appoints Faculty Member to the Board of Governors [Posted 3/21/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
March 7, 2003 Update

P-1 Apportionment: More Deficits for This Year and Last [Posted 3-7-03]

Assembly Budget Committee Agrees to Reduce Mid-Year Cuts By $38 Million [Posted 3-7-03]

Another Week Goes By Without Resolution on Mid-Year Budget Cuts [Posted 3-7-03]

Bipartisan Group of Legislators In The Assembly Attempt to Find A Solution to The State Budget Crisis [Posted 3-7-03]

Impact of Student Fees on California Community Colleges [Posted 3-7-03]

Additional Legislation Introduced as Deadline Passes [Posted 3-7-03]

Master Plan for Education 2003-04 [Posted 3-7-03]

What Are You Thinking? [Posted 3-7-03]

Where Is the Mandate Money? [Posted 3-7-03]

Ask SSC . . . Can We Use Categorical Funds to Pay a Retirement Incentive? [Posted 3-7-03]

Ask SSC . . . When Will the May Revise Be Out? [Posted 3-7-03]

Ask SSC . . . Could Board Members Use E-Mail under the Brown Act? [Posted 3-7-03]

By the Way . . . Recent Poll Indicates Public's Dissatisfaction Over How the Budget Crisis is Being Handled [Posted 3-7-03]

By the Way . . . Fiscal Squeeze Does Not Delay the Legislature [Posted 3-7-03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
February 21, 2003 Update

Legislative Analyst Releases "No Silver Bullet" Budget Analysis [Posted 2/21/03]

Alternatives to Governor Davis' Budget Deficit Solutions Are Being Proposed [Posted 2/21/03]

All's Quiet on the Sacramento Front [Posted 2/21/03]

Employee/Employer Legislation [Posted 2/21/03]

Classified and Certificated Layoff--Statutory Provisions [Posted 2/21/03]

Ask SSC . . . Do You Believe that Districts Should Go Straight to Factfinding? [Posted 2/21/03]

Ask SSC . . . Is There a "Drop Dead" Date for Mid-Year Cuts? [Posted 2/21/03]

By the Way . . . Capital Outlay Submittals Due July 1, 2003 [Posted 2/21/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
February 7, 2003 Update

Legislature Approves Education Bill--Governor's Response Unknown [Posted 2/7/03]

2002-03 K-14 Cuts in Special Session Bill Slightly Below Governor's Target [Posted 2/7/03]

A Flurry of New Legislation [Posted 2/7/03]

Ask SSC . . . Who Has the Final Word on Accounting Standards? [Posted 2/7/03]

Ask SSC . . . What is the Timeline for Faculty Reductions? [Posted 2/7/03]

By the Way . . . Legislators--Help Reduce the Budget Deficit--Don't Introduce Legislation [Posted 2/7/03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
January 24, 2003 Update

Budget Subcommittees Take Action on Community College Mid-Year Cuts [Posted 1-17-03]

  Senate and Assembly Budget Committees Finalize Action on Mid-Year Cuts to Community College Budgets [Posted 1-24-03]

  LAO Reports Smaller State Budget Shortfall [Posted 1-24-03]

  Governor Proposes $750 Million Shift from Redevelopment Agencies to Schools [Posted 1-24-03]

  Proposition 98: Friend or Foe to the Community Colleges [Posted 1-24-03]

  CPEC Student Fee Proposal [Posted 2-24-03]

  Auditor Obligations Continue to Evolve--Audit Documentation Requirements Established in Law
[Posted 1-24-03]

  Ask SSC . . . Could You Help With a Confidentiality Issue ? [Posted 1-24-03]

  By the Way . . . Governor Davis Proposes to Sell Bonds to Cover State's Contribution to CalPERS and CalSTRS [Posted 1-24-03]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
January 10, 2003 Update

State-of-the-State Address Long on Symbolism, Short on Specifics [Posted 1-9-03]

Governor Davis Inaugural Address [Posted 1-9-03]

Proposed 2003-04 State Budget Is a Disaster For California Community Colleges [Posted 1-10-03]

How Much Is $34.8 Billion Really? [Posted 1-10-03]

2002-03 First Quarter Lottery Apportionment Certified [Posted 1-10-03]

By the Way . . . Copies of 2003 Tax Withholding Tables Are Available [Posted 1-10-03]

By the Way . . . Ever-So-Slight Decrease in PERS Rate [Posted 1-10-03]