"It's like déjà vu, all over again."*

Pier Oddone

This is the last Director's Corner for Fiscal Year 2007. I wish I could tell you that we have a budget for the fiscal year that starts next week. Unfortunately, it is now a certainty that, as we did last year, we will live with the uncertainty of a continuing resolution for weeks and even months to come. A CR is likely to hold spending at FY07 levels and will make it particularly hard to manage the laboratory in FY08 because there are several programs scheduled to ramp up during the year. This budget delay is especially difficult to stomach when our international competitors do not suffer from comparable budget delays that affect the timeliness of their research and the development of their facilities.

Several months ago the House of Representatives passed the Energy and Water Bill, where the DOE particle physics budget resides. The Senate marked up the bill in committee, but the leadership has thus far not brought the bill to the Senate floor. Only after they do so can the House and the Senate sit together at conference to work out an agreement on the bill to send to the president. This year, even if there were a bill from Congress, the probability of a presidential veto that would lead to further delays is high. All of this, coupled with last year's experience, tells us that we had better be prepared for an extended period of uncertainty.

In the next few weeks we will be working with divisions and sections on contingency plans to try to minimize the damage from the restrictive funding that will come with a CR. We will have to be very conservative in ramping up efforts that could run out of fuel later in the year. At the same time, we need to move forward on several fronts to make sure we have a vital program after the Tevatron shuts down.

* Coach Yogi Berra (National Baseball Hall of Fame 1972)

Ray Orbach on FY 2008 funding bill: "The clock is ticking"

From AIP, Sept. 21, 2007

What has long been suspected is now obvious: the FY 2008 appropriations bills will not be completed by October 1, the start of the new fiscal year. Congressional leaders are readying a bill to continue funding into the first weeks of the fiscal year. No one on either end of Pennsylvania Avenue has developed a workable strategy to enact final appropriations bills.

The programs of DOE's Office of Science are at risk, Under Secretary for Science Raymond Orbach warned the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC) yesterday. During the first of a two-day meeting in suburban Maryland, Orbach spoke to BESAC about budget difficulties this year, his concerns about the FY 2008 appropriations bill, and the FY 2009 outlook. The Under Secretary also discussed an update that will be released next month of the twenty-year facilities plan, a similar European roadmap, and ARPA-Energy.

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Have a safe day!

FNALU inbound e-mail stopped Oct. 1
On Oct. 1, 2007, direct e-mail delivery to FNALU nodes will cease. This change only affects delivery, not how or where mail is read. Unless directed otherwise, mail forwarding will be retargeted to the IMAP servers. Users are encouraged to move their existing mail folders to IMAP. Please read the FAQ for further details. Please contact the help desk at x2345 if you have additional questions.

Kyuki-Do class begins on Oct. 1
Kyuki-Do combines the kicking of Taekwon-Do, the throwing and grappling techniques of Judo and Jujitsu, and the joint locks of Hapki-Do into one art. Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Recreation Facility in the Village. Teacher Bruce Worthel will focus on a practical self-defense that can be used by women or men. You will learn kicks, blocks, hand techniques, throws, pins and self-defense. You will learn forms that teach you balance, power and grace. Register through the Recreation Office; classes cost $45 per six-week session. You must be a member of the Recreation Facility to join.

Exciting Explorations fall program
Exciting Explorations will take place the following dates: Monday, Oct. 8 (Columbus Day); Monday, Nov. 19; and Tuesday, Nov. 20. Additional days may be added if there is enough interest. The cost is $35 per day per child. Two snacks and beverages are included; lunch is not provided. Please call Patti or Mary Simmons at x3762 to register your child or send an e-mail to request additional days.

Interpersonal Communication Skills
Learn effective communication strategies by assessing your communication style and developing skills for more productive work relationships through the Interpersonal Communications Skills course on Oct. 18. For more information and enrollment, go to the Web site.

Scottish country dancing
Scottish country dancing will meet in Kuhn barn tonight. Instruction begins at 7:30 p.m. and newcomers always are welcome. Most dances are fully taught and walked through. You do not need to come with a partner. More information is available by calling (630) 840-8194 or (630) 584-0825 or e-mailing folkdance@fnal.gov.

Additional Activities