Senate Finance Workgroup
The Senate Finance Workgroup – related to higher education – met earlier this week and considered community college funding issues. The Senate Finance Workgroup functions differently from House subcommittees. The Senate group’s meetings are not formal hearings; instead, they are discussions during which sector representatives are called to the table to answer members’ specific questions.
We understand that this workgroup voted to leave proportionality in the base bill, so we still have much work to do to ensure that we solve the proportionality issue in SB 41. This topic will continue to generate much more information and conversation, which we will share with you.
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House Higher Education Committee
The House Higher Education Committee held its first hearing on Wednesday. Chairman Dan Branch used this meeting to lay the foundation for the committee’s work. In his opening remarks, he spoke favorably about community colleges and their unique role in the state’s higher education system.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Raymund Parades, as well as staff members from the Legislative Budget Board, testified and provided a broad overview of issues in the higher education sector. The committee currently has referred 62 bills and should begin substantive hearings during the next week or two.
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House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
On Monday, LBB staff members detailed their funding recommendations for health-related institutions and community colleges. On Tuesday, the subcommittee heard testimony from a panel concerning the statewide nursing shortage, which is an issue that we will continue to follow closely because these legislative actions will have a direct impact on DCCCD’s nursing programs. On Wednesday, the subcommittee heard testimony from Commissioner Parades and community college representatives about our funding issues. Proportionality was a significant part of this conversation.
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Advocacy Teams
Our thanks go to many of you who have joined our A-Teams to assist with our advocacy efforts. As the legislative session continues, having a network of advocates we can call upon is important. If you have not yet done so, please let us know about your interest in helping support this effort.
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