Governmental Relations

Legislative Update - Friday, March 18, 2011

---

Rainy Day Fund

Governor Perry agreed to use $3.2 billion of the Economic  Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day  Fund) to cover current fiscal year state expenses.  The use of these funds will not warrant any more cuts to state agencies, including higher education, between now and August 31, 2011.  The  Governor remains opposed to the use of the Rainy Day fund to cover next biennium state expenses.

Handguns on Campus

The Homeland Security and Public Safety  Committee voted out HB 750, related to allowing concealed handguns on campus and its buildings. Dr. Bill Holda, representing the Texas Association of Community  Colleges, Leo  Zuniga, representing the Alamo Colleges, and Fred Newbury, President, Texas Community  Colleges Teachers Association (TCCTA) were among the many persons speaking against the bill. According to a statewide survey, TCCTA reports 80 percent of faculty members oppose guns on campus and classrooms legislation.

Credit Transfer for Associate Degree

The Senate Higher Education Committee voted out SB 945 which would require four-year universities to notify the community college when their transfer students achieve 90 hours so that community colleges may review the student’s transcript to determine the awarding of an associate degree.  

Bills of Interest filed

HB 2999, HB 3025, and SB 1727 related to students completing their Associate Degree being guarantee admission to the four year school and program of their choice and being charged tuition at the same rate as if they had entered the four year school as freshmen. SB 1731 would allow community colleges to offer an Academic Associate Degree that would transfer its entire course credit into a BA degree program at a four year school.  HB 3286 and SB 1728 would allow all developmental education courses be provided at community colleges.