Student Senate heated up Tuesday night as when senators passed a $14.4 million budget, which is comprised of Student Activity and Service fees.
Although it was not without opposition and four hours of debate.
Orange and Blue Sen. Jon Ossip proposed an amendment, which would eliminate $39,915 in what he called "perks and wasteful spending."
He said the amendment would cut money that serves as allowances for SG officials cell phone bills and money for SG lobbying trips.
"I think this is really about what example we set and whether we want to spend Student Body money on something that benefits all students or just people at the top," said Orange and Blue Sen. Ben Cavataro, after he gave a presentation detailing the benefits.
Unite Party Sen. Ben Meyers said the word "perks" implies SG officials do not deserve the benefits.
"This isn't corruption," Meyers said. "It's necessary, it's fairness."
The amendment initially proposed adding $40,000 to the campus readership program so the Wall Street Journal could be available on campus.
However, the amount was reduced to $35,000.
After about two hours of debate and four modifications the amendment failed 45-18.
Senators also debated a second amendment, that would cut travel costs from Accent, SG Productions and Computer Network Suport while increasing funds given to student organizations. The amendment failed 50-15.
After debate on the budget wrapped up, Orange and Blue Party Sen. Jon Ossip presented a bill that would limit the amount of allowances alloted toward SG cell phone bills and decrease the number of SG officials who receive them from eight to three.
Ossip's bill failed 38-21.
