UH System Chancellor Arthur K. Smith testified before the House Appropriations Committee on Monday on the Texas Excellence Fund bill.
House Chairman Rob Junell laid out a substitute bill which sets up an additional fund from general revenue for the schools in the Permanent University Fund (excluding UT-Austin, A&M College Station and Prairie View). A front page story in today's Austin American-Statesman is devoted to coverage of the new provision. The bill was left pending and is posted for action next Tuesday.
As scheduled, the House passed the Appropriations Bill this week. Conferees could be announced as early as next week. Five representatives and five senators will be appointed.
The House and the Senate have adjourned until Tuesday, April 17. They will both begin meeting on Fridays next week.
Action on bills of interest:
--SB 1466 by Bivins continues the step tuition increases. It was amended to provide for a $2 increase for five years and reported from committee in the Senate.
--SB 1190 by Ellis, which authorizes the creation of tech transfer centers, passed the Senate on Wednesday.
--HB 82 by Gallego exempts certain items sold by student organizations from the sales tax. It was reported from committee this week.
--HB 1685 by Rangel, which requires the Coordinating Board to approve partnership or affiliation agreements, is set on the House Calendar next Wednesday.
--HB 1545 by Uher, which removes administrative burdens for higher education, was reported from committee in the Senate.
--HB 47 by McClendon, which provided for automatic admission of students who have received a 30-hour certificate or degree from a community college with a 3.0 GPA, was amended and passed the House. It now requires the student to have an academic degree (with at least a 3.0 GPA) to qualify for automatic admission and further requires that admission is on a space-available basis.
--HB 3508 by Wilson requires appointment of a student regent to the University of Texas board. It was reported from the Higher Education Committee on Tuesday.
Remember to watch Capitol Report on KUHT Sundays at 3 p.m. after it resumes airing the first week of April.
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>.