(This legislative update has been assembled by the UH System Office of Governmental Relations and edited by the UH Office of University Relations as a service to the UH System community.)
UH System Chancellor Arthur K. Smith testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education twice last week. On Monday, Jan. 29, he presented the case for UH System administration funding. On Tuesday, Jan. 31, Presidents William Staples (UH-Clear Lake), Max Castillo (UH-Downtown), and Karen Haynes (UH-Victoria) joined him in presenting the respective university budgets.
Monday morning, Feb. 6, UH System Board of Regents Chairman Gary Rosenthal and Chancellor Smith will make budget presentations on behalf of the UH System before the Senate Finance Committee. We will be the first university system to appear before that committee.
So far, the Finance and Appropriations Committees are the only ones that are fully organized. Most of the other committees will begin hearing bills this week. On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the House Higher Education Committee will take up five bills:
The Senate Education Committee will hold a hearing on the Governor's plan for higher education proposed by the Special Commission on 21st Century Colleges and Universities on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
Don't forget to watch Capitol Report on Sunday at 3:00 pm on KUHT-TV. Reps. Joe Nixon (R-Houston), Harold Dutton (D-Houston), and Pat Haggerty (R-El Paso) will discuss Crime in Texas.
Be sure to mark your calendars for February 20… UH System Day at the Capitol! Click here
Guidelines for Contacting Legislators
It's important that legislators hear from faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the UH System. But if you are a member of the faculty or staff (a state employee) wishing to contact your legislator, it's equally important to follow certain guidelines when you write or fax letters. Go to <http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/gov/process/letter_writing.html>. for letter-writing guidelines.
For information on governmental relations policies, go to <http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/gov/policies/lobbying.html>.
To find the names and addresses of U.S. Senators and Congressmen/women, go to <http://www.usfronline.com/congress.htm>
To find the names and addresses of Texas Senators and Representatives, go to <http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members.htm>, or <http://www.house.state.tx.us/house/byzip.htm>.