(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 public testimony on the Appropriations Bill was completed Monday, Feb. 5, when Board of Regents Chairman Gary Rosenthal and Chancellor Arthur K. Smith testified before the Senate Finance Committee. Presidents William Staples (UH-Clear Lake), Max Castillo (Uh-Downtown), and Karen Haynes (UH-Victoria) were available to answer questions of the committee. The House Education Subcommittee will begin preliminary mark-up of the Appropriations Bill this week.
Recent headlines about dramatic increases in Medicaid and uncertainty about federal funding for welfare programs accurately reflect appropriations concerns brought to the attention of legislative leadership last week. When the budget bills were filed, there appeared to be an additional $300 to 600 million available general revenue. Current projections obliterate any surplus. This situation, however, is constantly changing and subject to much speculation.
Other standing committees have now begun to meet. On Tuesday, Feb. 6, House Higher Education held their first hearing. HB 112 by Rangel, establishing the “preferred curriculum” as the default curriculum for high schools, was considered and left pending. The Senate Education Committee met jointly with the Commission on 21st Century Colleges and Universities. Dr. John Opperman, Director of the Governor’s Office of Budget and Planning, testified that the Commissions recommendations include an excellence proposal that does not explicitly include a Tier One initiative but contemplates and encompasses this endeavor.
Other legislation of interest:
Don't forget to watch Capitol Report on Sunday at 3:00 pm on KUHT-TV. . Sen. Sibley (R-Waco), and Reps. Bosse (D-Houston) and McCall (R-Plano) discussed Sunset legislation during yesterday's program.
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>.