(This legislative update is produced by the UH System Office of Governmental Relations and the UH Division of University Advancement as a service to the UH System community, our alumni, and our friends.)
With the inauguration of Gov. Perry and Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, little legislative business was conducted this week. However, the new leadership took quick steps to resolve this year's $1.8 billion budget shortfall. By the time you read this we may have the details, but it appears we will be asked to reduce the general revenue portion of our budgets by seven percent.
The Senate committees are still setting up their staffs and will probably hold organizational meetings next week. House members turned in their preference cards for committee assignments to Speaker Craddick on Tuesday and anticipate an announcement next week.
Of the 800 bills already filed, the Office of Governmental Relations is tracking approximately 80. The office typically tracks over 500 bills that have the potential to affect university policy or operations. If you would like to access any of these bills or research information on the legislature, click here. A few bills worth noting are: