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Message from Dr. Max Castillo
March 7, 2005
Back to Legislative Update

Posted on this page will be the most recent updates sent or received by UHD President Max Castillo on legislative activity that affects UH-Downtown.

The 79 th Legislative Session is entering its ninth week, nearing the midpoint of the session, which ends on Monday, May 30th. The pace of activity is increasing as the deadline for free introduction of legislation approaches.

Although it is still too early in the process to determine what UHD's General Revenue will look like for the next biennium, there are some trends developing in both the House and Senate that could mean good news for higher education.

To update you:

Both the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee have tentatively completed work on Article III – the Education Appropriations Bill. It is possible that both bills will be sent to the floor for a vote during the week of March 21 st . The Appropriations Bill, as it was initially written, would give UHD an increase of $2.7 million in the first year of the biennium. That would be welcome news when compared to the $1.8 million cut from the current biennial budget. It is my understanding that the General Revenue figures are still in flux. We can always hope that they will want to give us even more.

Included in the Appropriations Bill is the Higher Education Fund, which we have historically referred to as HEAF. These funds are vital to our operational wellbeing, including such needs as the library, equipment, deferred maintenance, and new construction, as well as land acquisition. The Higher Education Fund is especially critical to us for the upcoming biennium, since this may be the main funding source for financing our next phase of campus expansion in the event that tuition revenue bonds are not appropriated. As of Friday, March 4 th , members of both chambers of the Legislature had expressed interest in increasing the fund; however, no source of revenue has been identified.

As an information item, we have now completed the review of seven proposals submitted by developers who have bid on the new building project. Last week extensive interviews were held with all seven developers. We hope to select an architectural firm by the end of this week, or during Spring Break.

Now all I have to do is find the money to finance it if the Legislature does not come through.

I'd like to share a statement from Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn that supports the positive impact of higher education on the state's economy. I am attaching a document that includes the text of her message.

I will be called to Austin to provide yet more testimony later this month or in early April before the House Higher Education Committee. In the meantime, I will continue to update you on legislative developments of significance to our university.