(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.)
GOV. PERRY SUGGESTS ELIMINATION OF "SPECIAL ITEMS FUNDING"--As you have surely read, Gov. Rick Perry recommended significant cuts in higher education funding last week. In order to balance the budget without raising new revenues, the Governor suggests the elimination of special item funding, including institutional enhancement. Eliminating all UH System special items, which are more accurately described as projects and initiatives not covered by formula funding, would total approximately $47 million. It is worth noting that the legislative hearing process has just begun and we expect to see many different scenarios for addressing the deficit. The Governor did recommend taking money from the Rainy Day fund to cover damages from Tropical Storm Allison.
CHANCELLOR AND UH SYSTEM PRESIDENTS TO TESTIFY IN AUSTIN WEDNESDAY--Chancellor Arthur K Smith and UH-Clear Lake President William Staples, UH-Downtown President Max Castillo, and UH-Victoria President Karen Haynes will appear before the House Appropriations Education Subcommittee Wednesday, February 19, to present FY2004-05 appropriations request. The meeting will begin at 7 a.m. in Room 140 of the John H. Reagan Building. You can hear a broadcast of the meeting at the following site: http://www.house.state.tx.us/media/welcome.php.
In addition to the scrutiny all institutions and state agencies are receiving in appropriation hearings, two new committees are holding extensive hearings on all aspects of state government. The Senate Committee on Government Organization, chaired by Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) and the House Committee on Government Reform, chaired by Rep. David Swinford (R-Amarillo), have met jointly to hear suggestions for cutting government spending from a succession of entities including the Comptroller’s Office, the State Auditor’s Office and the Sunset Commission.
The House Higher Education Committee will hold an organizational meeting on Monday, February 17, and begin hearing bills the following week.
WATCH HOUSE, SENATE PROCEEDINGS ONLINE—Now you can watch the legislative sessions and committee meetings on line. Click on any of these links for live audio and video images…
Live broadcasts from House chamber and from committee rooms
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/house/broadcast.htm
Live broadcasts from Senate chamber and from committee rooms