STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

January 21, 2005

(This legislative update has been assembled by the UH System Office of Governmental Relations and edited by the UH Division of University Advancement as a service to the UH System community.)

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BILL, REPORT SIGNAL
LEADERSHIP’S INITIAL PLAN

Even though the legislature took the week off for the inauguration, there was still significant activity. Two documents were released that signal the leadership’s initial plans.

Appropriations Bills

Late last Friday, Jan. 14, identical appropriations bills were filed in the House and Senate. Because they have made a number of changes to the bill pattern, it is difficult to make a straight comparison to the current bill. For example, they include items like employee benefits within our appropriations. Most years those items are allocated separately. Late yesterday, Jan. 20, the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) provided us with back-up materials so we should have a detailed analysis next week.

LBB Performance Report

Beginning in the mid 1980s, the State Comptroller prepared “performance reviews” recommending ways to cut spending in state government. Last session, this responsibility was transferred to the Legislative Budget Board. This year’s report was just issued. There were several recommendations for direct cuts to universities and a number of reductions in employee and retiree benefits.

Fiscal:

• Completely eliminate institutional enhancement appropriations for the four largest institutions (including UH). Reduce by half for the remaining institutions. Those savings would be reallocated to other formula funding or state services. This recommendation is not reflected in the Appropriations Bill as filed.
• Eliminate the Teaching Experience Supplement. This is a biennial reduction of over $6 million for the UH System. Again, the savings would be reallocated. This recommendation is not reflected in the Appropriations Bill as filed.
• Continue the policy of funding interest only for Tuition Revenue Bonds issued after March 31, 2003.

Academic:

• Amend the Education Code to require institutions to have core curriculum requirements between 36 and 42 hours. Current law requires for no less than 42 hours.
• Remove the requirement that graduates must complete 6 hours of U.S. history and 6 hours of Texas and U.S. government.
• Limit bachelor’s degree requirements to 120 hours and allow the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop criteria for exceptions.
• Amend the Education Code to cap state funding for a bachelor’s degree to 15 percent above the degree requirements.
• Require reporting on key performance measures to ensure improvement to time-to-degree.

Employee Benefits:

• Prohibit return-to-work retirees from receiving both benefit replacement pay and longevity pay.
• Require return-to-work retirees to restart their years of service at zero. Returnees would then earn vacation at the same amount as a new employee.
• Require retirees to pay 100 percent of the premium for dependents under the age of 65.
• Freeze longevity pay and allow institutions to use savings to reward positive employee performance. Eliminate longevity pay for new employees.
• Consider eliminating prescription drug coverage for Medicare-eligible retirees and dependents and provide a portion of the costs of premiums, deductibles, etc.
• Implement a tiered coinsurance plan for state employees (excluding prescriptions).
• Offer an incentive to employees who opt out of the state insurance program.
• Reduce state’s contribution for employee insurance to 90 percent.
• Require state retirees under age 65 to pay a portion of health insurance costs.

View the complete report

We anticipate that both House and Senate committees will be appointed next week. Once they are, the presiding officers will begin referring bills and committees will begin meeting. Read bills and listen to committee proceedings.

UH SYSTEM DAY IN AUSTIN

Just a few days remain to sign up to participate in this year’s UH System Day in Austin. You may register by going to the “Calendar/Event Registration” section on Houston Alumni Organization’s web page or by calling Amy Bailey at 713-743-0828. But remember, if you are a faculty or staff member, you must take a vacation day in order to participate.

Following a tradition started in 1998, hundreds of UH System students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends will converge on the State Capitol building Tuesday, February 8, 2005, to advocate for our four universities during “UH System Day in Austin.”

Sponsored by the Houston Alumni Organization and CATs (Cougar Advocates for Texas), this year’s visit has been themed “Meet the Future of Texas,” with emphasis being placed on increased student participation. “We have always had a strong student support,” said Grover Campbell, Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, “but this year we would like to see even more students making the rounds and meeting our state representatives and senators.”

Approximately 400 UH System folks are expected to sign up for the free, day-long activities. Please note that this year the orientation segment will take place in Houston, not in Austin. Below is the schedule of events:

8 a.m. – Registration, orientation, and kickoff, O’Quinn Great Hall at the Athletics/Alumni Center on the UH campus.
9 a.m. – Buses depart for Austin, lunch served.
Noon – Arrival at State Capitol building, visit House and Senate chambers.
1:30 p.m. – Participants fan out throughout building and visit legislators’ offices.
4:30 p.m. – Visits conclude, board buses for reception, location to be determined.
5:30 p.m. – Reception honoring legislators.
7:30 p.m.– Buses depart Austin and return to Houston.
10:30 p.m. – Buses arrive at Athletics/Alumni Center on UH campus.

For complete information on all UH System governmental activities, how to get involved, updates, legislative agenda, etc., please visit our 79^th Legislature web site.

SELECTED NEWS ARTICLES
ON HIGHER EDUCATION POSTED DAILY

Selected news articles from local, state, and national publications are being posted on the UH System Governmental Relations web page.

view the articles.

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.

Information on governmental relations policies

Find the names and addresses of Texas Senators and Representatives