Last Week

House Appropriations

The Committee met on Monday morning and heard two very significant bills to community colleges:

Rep. Burt Solomons presented HB 2083 – this bill would define in statute the definition of proportionality that would continue the current Legislative practice and resolve the issue. In laying out the bill Rep. Solomons stated,

“This bill represents a new compact with these essential institutions, and I believe it will help forge a new partnership,” adding “the bottom line is colleges that could not fund faculty were likely to cut enrollment. If you think that we had an outcry over tuition deregulation, wait until our communities find out that our community colleges can’t afford to educate everyone anymore.”

Testifying on behalf of community were Dr. Millicent Valek, Chair of TACC and President of Brazosport College, Dr. Wright Lassiter, Chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District, Ms. Betty McCrohan, President of Wharton County Junior College. Chancellor Lassiter and President McCrohan made it clear to the Committee the importance of colleges having certainty in the state funding of eligible employees' health insurance. Without that assurance college boards would be forced to look at higher tuitions, higher taxes, or fewer program offerings all of are not good choices.

In attendance were representatives from more than 40 community colleges including Trustees, administrators, and faculty. Several members of the Committee voiced their support of the bill and community colleges including Rep. Richard Raymond, Vice Chair of the Committee, Rep. Helen Giddings, Rep. John Zerwas, Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, and Rep. Susan Brown. After hearing testimony the Committee voted 22 to 0 to approve the bill moving on to the full House.

The Committee also heard testimony on HB 4586 by Appropriations Committee Chair Jim Pitts. This is the supplemental appropriations bill that includes the restoration of the vetoed funds that are currently being paid forward out of the community college formula. The committee voted the bill out 18 to 0.

Senate Finance

Met on Thursday and among the bills heard was SB 2064 which would apply merit components to the eligibility of TEXAS grants. The Committee took testimony but the Chair indicated that a Committee substitute addressed many concerns raised by other Senators - it was left pending.

The Week Ahead

House

The House is not meeting on Monday but has a very busy week ahead. On Thursday the House will hear HB 4586 by Pitts – the supplemental appropriations bill which contains the funds to restore the vetoed dollars. By rules adopted last week any amendments to HB 4586 must be filed by 8 pm on Tuesday the 14th. SB 1 is scheduled to be heard on Friday and amendments to the budget bill must be filed by Tuesday at 9 pm. The House also adopted the following rule related to the budget debate:

(a) During second and third reading consideration of the bill, any amendment that adds or increases an item of appropriation in the bill is not in order unless the amendment contains an equal or greater reduction in one or more items of appropriation in the bill from the fund or funds against which the appropriation is to be certified.

Any floor amendment that “spends” funds must also find an equal reduction in the bill. Debate on SB 1 will begin on Friday but most around the Capitol expect that it will continue in the early hours of Saturday morning. Both bills should be voted out and sent to the Senate – conferees will be appointed by the Senate for SB 1 and HB 4586 will be referred to Senate Finance for a hearing.

House Higher Education

The committee will meet at 2:00 pm on Wednesday. Currently there are 17 bill scheduled to be heard – to see the full agenda please click on this link:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/schedules/html/C2902009041514001.htm 

Senate Higher Education

The Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday at 8:00 am. Currently there are 34 bill scheduled to be heard – to see the full agenda please click on this link:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/schedules/html/C5602009041507001.HTM