This Week in Austin ...
Back in Texas, Gov. Perry formally requested the state’s share of the $787 billion economic stimulus package on Wednesday. He previously had indicated that he was not sure whether he would accept those funds from the federal government.
Legislative leaders estimate the stimulus bill could deliver almost $17 billion to the state’s budget, including billions for Medicaid, education and transportation. Leaders in Austin have spent time over the last few days trying to determine how to administer the funding and how it may fit into the overall state budget picture.
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Senate Finance Workgroup
Late last week, the Senate Finance Article III (Education) workgroup members were announced. Members of this important group are Sen. Royce West (Chair), Sen. Florence Shapiro, Sen. Judith Zaffirini and Sen. Robert Duncan. With these senators working in-depth on the education section of the state budget, community colleges are well-positioned as the budget process unfolds.
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House Select Committee on Higher and Public Education Finance
The Select Committee from the last legislative session, chaired by Rep. Dan Branch, released its report on funding priorities for both public and higher education. Among the recommendations for higher education are: to increase investment in state financial aid; to target support for community college transfers, top 10 percent graduates and students who are pursuing teaching and health care professions; and to increase support for community colleges, universities and health-related institutions.
The recommendations specifically state: “As a starting point, the committee recommends that formula funding for community colleges, general academics and health-related institutions be increased to the levels recommended by the (Texas) Higher Education Coordinating Board.”
DCCCD is fortunate that Chairman Branch now leads the influential Higher Education Committee in the House.
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House Appropriations
Yesterday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education met for the first time. The committee began its work by hearing testimony on higher education funding from the Legislative Budget Board. Soon the committee will begin hearing testimony directly for educational intuitions.
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