The Conference Committee on the Appropriations bill was appointed last week and held its first organizational meeting today. Three of the ten members are from Houston. They are Senate Chairman Rodney Ellis and Reps. Garnet Coleman and Talmadge Heflin. The other members are Senate Vice Chairman Chris Harris (R-Arlington), Sens. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock), Steve Ogden (R-College Station), and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), House Chairman Rob Junell (D-San Angelo), House Vice Chairman Buddy West (D-Odessa), and Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine).
The committee plans to begin deliberations at 7 a.m. tomorrow, April 24 under the following schedule:
April 24 - Judiciary and Regulatory Agencies of State Government
April 25 - General Government
April 26 - Criminal Justice
April 27 - Pending Issues from the agencies listed above
April 30 - Natural Resources and Economic Development
May 1 - Public Education and Retirement Systems Issues
May 2 - Health and Human Services Issues
May 3 - Health and Human Services - Continued
May 4 - Pending Issues from agencies listed above
May 7 - Higher Education
May 8 - Article IX (Riders), Article X (Legislature) and Article XII (Tobacco) plus employee salaries
Last week, the House Appropriations Committee reported a substitute for HB 1839 (Texas Excellence Fund). The bill now contains a separate fund for PUF schools. Later that day, the Senate Finance Committee reported SJR 44. It is a constitutional amendment allowing the University of Texas board of regents to allocate PUF excellence funds to UT academic institutions other than UT-Austin. During that hearing Chairman Ellis and Vice Chairman Harris admonished the UT System for the way they have conducted their business this session saying they have created ill will in the Senate and an ugly public debate on higher education issues.
Other bills of interest:
--SB 565 by Armbrister, which provides for the perfection of securities issued for state entities, passed the House.
--HB 1403 by Noriega, which provides for residential status for certain undocumented residents, passed the House.
--HB 2323 by Gallego, one of several bills authorizing assistance for law school loans, was reported from the House Higher Education Committee.
--HB 2397 by Chavez, which requires a study of faculty compensation, is set on the House Consent Calendar.
Don't forget to watch Capitol Report on Channel 8 at 3 p.m. on Sundays.
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>.