(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.)
As a result of the severe market drop last week and the slowing national economy, Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander told the Texas Legislature not to expect a late-session increase in projected revenues. The Comptroller’s office feels the current revenue estimate of $108 billion will not be adjusted.
The Senate Finance Committee wrapped up work on the Appropriations Bill late Thursday evening. As expected, both the House and Senate have placed most requests for new money in the Article XI “wish list.” The committee has, however, included some new money in the base bill: $300 million more for TEXAS grants, $135.2 million in formula funding for universities, and $25 million for new tuition revenue bond debt payment.
The committee will take a final vote on the bill on March 26. It will be considered by the Senate the following Wednesday and then sent to the House.
During the final hours for filing legislation two weeks ago, a number of bills were filed affecting higher education. A few in particular are worth noting:
---SJR 44 by Duncan and Ellis expands excellence funding under the Permanent University Fund (PUF) to include other UT academic components.
---HB 3568 by George restructures the Dallas area UT System institutions by placing Southwestern Medical School and UT-Arlington under UT-Dallas thus creating a mini-system in Dallas.
---HB 3507 by Garcia realigns the University of North Texas System by including UT-Dallas and UT-Arlington in that system.
---SB 1567 by Harris creates the “Emerging University Excellence Fund” for certain institutions within the PUF. It is similar to the “Texas Excellence Fund” created by SB 737 and HB 1839.
---HB 3524 by Hochberg establishes a pilot program at UT-Austin, whereby they may charge a flat tuition rate for a 12-hours and above.
---SB 1260 by Shapleigh authorizes the comptroller to conduct performance audits at universities.
---HB 1212, which originally required institutions to allow students to pay tuition for long summer terms in installments, was amended on the House floor. It is no longer mandatory and only permits the institutions to set up such a program if wanted.
Today marks the halfway point in this legislative session.
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>.