MINUTES
SENATE FINANCE HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 25, 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, June 25, 2008, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair Senator Robert Duncan Senator Florence Shapiro Senator Royce West
OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS PRESENT: Senator Kip Averitt Senator Dan Patrick
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Senator Steve Ogden
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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 the purpose of today's hearing is to discuss the first interim charge assigned to the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee.
A quorum was established at 9:05 a.m.
Senator Shapiro moved that the minutes of the May 28, 2008, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.
Interim Charge 1 directed the subcommittee to "review and make recommendations regarding the structure and organization of higher education, focusing on funding of the current higher education system, including financing capital projects for general academic institutions and for health-related institutions and changes to funding flagship research universities such as The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M at College Station. Determine the adequacy of formula funding to support basic functions as well as supporting critical statewide needs and improvements on the various methods of funding research. Reviews should include institutional structures that maximize efficiencies and incentive structures that increase the number of graduates. A review of funding formulas should also include the application of proportionality of state contributions for higher education employee health benefits."
The following witnesses testified regarding the structure and organization of higher education: Dr. Mike McKinney, Chancellor, Texas A&M System, and Dr. Baker Pattillo, President, Stephen F. Austin State University.
The following witness testified regarding capital funding: Susan Brown, Assistant Commissioner, Planning & Accountability, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The following witnesses testified regarding an overview of the Texas Competitive Knowledge Fund: Greg Owens, Budget Analyst, Legislative Budget Board, and Susan Sherman, Budget Analyst, Legislative Budget Board.
The following witnesses testified regarding research universities: William Powers Jr., President, The University of Texas at Austin; Dr. Raymund Paredes, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and Dr. Elsa A. Murano, President, Texas A&M University.
At 11:51 a.m. Senator West assumed the chair.
At 11:54 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair.
The following witnesses testified regarding incentive structures: Dr. Elsa A. Murano, President, Texas A&M University; William Powers Jr., President, The University of Texas at Austin; Dr. Raymund Paredes, Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; Susan Brown, Assistant Commissioner, Planning & Accountability, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and Dr. George C. Wright, President, Prairie View A&M University.
The chair opened the floor for public testimony. There being none, the chair closed public testimony.
There being no further business, at 1:23 p.m., upon motion of Senator West, 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