MINUTES

 

SENATE FINANCE HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

9 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair Senator Steve Ogden Senator Florence Shapiro		Senator Robert Duncan Senator Royce West

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair explained in her opening remarks that today's hearing was a joint hearing between the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee and the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee. The purpose of today's hearing is to discuss the joint interim charge assigned to the Senate Finance Higher Education and the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee.

 

The charge directed the subcommittees to "review the status, effects, and success or failure of higher education authorities operating under Chapters 53, 53A, and 53B, Education Code, and nonprofit corporations carrying out the functions of higher education authorities under those chapters. Make recommendations regarding any necessary changes in the statutes and administration of same."  

 

Tom Griess, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Public Finance Division, Attorney General's Office, presented an overview of current higher education authorities.

 

The following witnesses testified regarding Chapter 53 and 53A, Education Code, and facility lending issues: George Martin, President, St. Edward's University; David Dickson, Vice President for Financial Affairs, St. Edward's University; and Thomas Spurgeon, Attorney, McCall, Parkhurst & Horton.

 

 

 

 

 

The following witnesses testified regarding Chapter 53B, Education Code, and student lending issues: Ellis E. Treadway, Executive Vice President, Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation; Kathryn Bryan, Executive Director, North Texas Higher Education Authority; Jimmy Parker, Executive Vice President, Panhandle Plains Student Loan Center; and Patricia Beard, President, COSTEP.

 

There being no further business, at 1:34 p.m. the committee was recessed, subject to the call of the chair.

 

 

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Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

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Amy Jeter, Clerk