MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

10:00 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 Committee on Finance was held on Wednesday, August 4, 2010, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Steve Ogden Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator Kevin Eltife Senator Craig Estes Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Jane Nelson Senator Dan Patrick Senator Kel Seliger Senator Royce West Senator Tommy Williams Senator Judith Zaffirini		Senator Bob Deuell Senator Robert Duncan Senator Florence Shapiro Senator John Whitmire

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Ogden welcomed the new Committee members to the Senate Finance Committee.  The chair recognized Senator Estes and Senator Patrick to make opening remarks. 

 

The Committee heard invited and public testimony regarding the Committee's following interim charges:

Study and make recommendations regarding formula funding and its impact on the cost of attendance and methods of financing higher education institutions, including funding differences for pharmacy and nursing programs; research funding; performance funding; and funding for institutions that face capacity student enrollment. Specifically address the following:

Methods of financing capital projects at higher education institutions, including the levels of deferred maintenance, the impact of deferred maintenance on the ability to offer basic instructional services, and the methods used to finance deferred maintenance projects. Recommend alternatives for providing a structured and recurring funding mechanism more suited to the state’s fiscal capacity and institutional needs.

Supplemental funding for structured programs that are essential for student success and for meeting the goals of Closing the Gaps, including those that provide concentrated student academic and personal support services for universities that enroll a high proportion of non-traditional or at-risk students. Study and make recommendations regarding the quality and effectiveness of academic advising, focusing on resources, staff development, and impact on time-to-degree.

Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Finance, 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:

Monitor ongoing faculty recruitment and retention for Texas nursing schools, and assess the impact of increased state funds to nursing schools to increase faculty salaries and add new teaching schools.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the charges are shown on the attached list. 

Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair. 

Testimony continued.

Senator Ogden resumed the chair.

Testimony continued.

At 1:12 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand recessed until 1:30 p.m.; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hinojosa reconvened the Committee at 1:25 p.m.

Testimony resumed.

Senator Ogden resumed the chair.

Testimony continued.

 

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

Testimony continued.

Senator Ogden resumed the chair.

Testimony continued.

There being no further business, at 4:17 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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Senator Steve Ogden, Chair

 

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Amy Jeter, Clerk