House Passes Bill that Solves the Issue of Proportionality for Community Colleges
(Austin, 5/1/2009) Today the Texas House of Representatives unanimously passed HB 2083 by Representative Burt Solomons (and more than 80 coauthors), which included an amendment offered by the author that incorporates a compromise with Governor Rick Perry on proportionality. The bill would end the dispute over the state’s share of community college health insurance costs. As amended the bill would link any increases in the state share of these costs to student enrollment growth or decline. The bill will now move to the Senate for deliberation.
“Community colleges are thankful for the leadership of Governor Perry and Representative Solomons on this critical issue,” said Dr. Millicent Valek, Chair of the Texas Association of Community Colleges and President of Brazosport College. Dr. Valek continued, “The Governor brought this issue to the attention of the Legislature and after careful deliberation an agreement has been reached on the matter. We are pleased that this compromise agreement will take effect in both the Appropriations bill (SB 1) and also in HB 2083 so that colleges and future Legislatures will have a statutory reference for addressing the issue of community college health insurance benefits.”
Dr. Richard Rhodes, Chair-Elect of TACC and President of El Paso Community College added, “Achieving a lasting solution to this issue was the top priority of the membership of our association for the 81st Legislature. We are pleased that we could work with Governor Perry and Representative Solomons to achieve this solution. Community colleges are committed to working with the Governor and Legislature to finalize this agreement and to make Texas a better place.” | 