Higher Education Necessary To Ensure Success of Texas and Texans

From the desk of Representative Garnet Coleman, Chair of the Texas Legislative Study Group (LSG), House Caucus:

Please find below a report from the LSG, the caucus that I chair, regarding a press conference on higher education held today.

Today, some Legislative Study Group members from the Houston area met at the Houston Community College Coleman College for Health Sciences for a press conference on higher education.

As you know, in May 2008 the LSG put out a report calling for an expansion of slots of excellence at Texas colleges and universities -- specifically calling for the creation of additional tier one universities. This session the Legislature passed HB 51 and HJR 14, which would set in place a mechanism through which emerging research universities can compete for funds to eventually become tier one universities.

Texas currently has only two public universities classified as tier one institutions even though it has the second highest population in the nation. States like California and New York have many more tier-one public universities.

At today's press conference, Rep. Scott Hochberg, LSG board member and chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, spoke of a pool of $500 million worth of higher education dollars that is currently locked away. Voter approval of Proposition 4 on the November ballot is the key to releasing those funds and allowing universities to draw down matching funds, allowing them to work on becoming top tier research universities.

LSG board member Rep. Hubert Vo is an alumnus of the University of Houston - one of the universities that will be able to more quickly attain tier one status with this legislation. At today's press conference, Rep. Vo spoke of the great economic impact that voter approval of Proposition 4 will have. He mentioned that the state's additional investment in institutions of higher education would not only greatly expand the possibilities for students, resulting in a better educated populace, but would help the state maintain a competitive economic edge in technology and human capital in the 21st century.

LSG Chair Rep. Coleman spoke on the value of higher education, and the bridge that often links high school students and four year universities: community colleges. Ensuring a seamless transition for students from community colleges is vital, as well as properly funding these institutions and providing them with the resources they need to succeed. New and innovative programs like the Early College High School program are doing wonders and helping high school students begin their college careers on firm ground. This is the subject of LSG's latest report.

To view the LSG's report on Higher Education, click here. To view LSG's analysis and recommendation on Proposition 4, click here.

If we can provide your office with any additionally information on this or any other public policy topic, please do not hesitate to contact LSG Director Joe Madden at Joe@TexasLSG.org or 512-463-0524.