UTA Legislative Update
Tuesday, March 5, 2019

It was a busy February in Austin as the 86th Legislature began.

Over the past two weeks, the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee heard public testimony on the state budget and have divided into workgroups on specific subject areas. The House Appropriations subcommittee on Article 3, which covers all public and higher education funding, opted to increase funding to the overall higher education formulas, financial aid, and research. The Senate workgroup on Article 3 will announce their recommendations soon.

On Monday, the Senate State Affairs Committee passed SB 212 (reporting requirements for sexual harassment on college campuses). Later that day, the full Senate passed SB 3 (teacher pay raise bill), which advances to the House.

The House Higher Education Committee met last week, leaving all bills pending. Read this week's agenda. The Senate Higher Education Committee meets for the first time this week for an organizational hearing.

If you have any questions or would like information about anything in particular, please let us know.

Thank you, and Go Mavs!

UTA Government Relations

community college tax

Community colleges consider tuition hikes

If property tax increases are limited, Texas community colleges say they may have to look elsewhere for revenue. Read more.

school funding

More money for public schools, lower property tax rates

Texas House bill would put $9 billion into school finance reform and property tax relief. Read more.

cloud storage

Texas lawmakers look to cloud for storing sensitive government data

In hopes of saving money on data storage, legislators are considering downsizing the state's data centers and relying more on private tech companies. Read more.

Beverly Powell

Education high on new state senator's list

Beverly Powell (D-10), a Burleson real estate developer and former school board president, likes property tax caps and local control. Read more.

Salvador Dali clocks

Can Texas lawmakers finally end daylight saving time?

State lawmakers argue that it's antiquated. But supporters say it gives Texans a crucial extra hour of light in the evenings during the summer months. Read more.

Appointed positions

The Office of the Governor is always looking for people to apply to various boards, including higher education. If you need assistance in applying, please contact Jeff Jeter at jeter@uta.edu. See a full list of available positions.

March 6 | Senate Higher Education Committee

The Senate Higher Education Committee will hold its first meeting at 9 a.m. Watch online.

March 6 | House Higher Education Committee

The House Higher Education Committee will hear bills at 8 a.m. Watch online.

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