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| 78th Legislature (2003) |
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Tuition Equalization Grant Program (TEG)
Policy Position: Since 1995 ICUT has advocated TEG funding at a level that would meet 70% of student need for TEG. The 77th Legislature appropriated $82.2 million for each year of the current biennium, meeting about 65% of student need. Although we believe that student need will increase in the coming biennium, ICUT will not seek an increase in TEG funding in a time of constrained resources. ICUT will seek to maintain the current level of TEG funding, $82.2 million for each year of the biennium.
Result: The Legislature reduced TEG funding by 14.5% in the 2004-2005 biennium. $70,316,478 will be available in each year, meeting 50-55% of student need.
TEXAS (Toward EXcellence, Access and Success) Grant Program
Policy Position: ICUT supports the TEXAS Grant program and believes it is an important tool that encourages high school students to complete rigorous college preparation courses. Because a highly educated workforce is the prime element of economic growth for Texas, ICUT supports The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's (THECB) request of $200 million for fiscal year 2004 and $220 million for fiscal year 2005 for the TEXAS Grant program.
Result: The Legislature appropriated $324,360,000 for the biennium for the TEXAS Grant program, less than the amount necessary to fully fund the program, but an increase over the 2002-2003 biennium.
Other Existing Programs
Texas College Work-Study: Work-Study is one of the most effective retention tools available to colleges and universities. On-campus jobs bond students to institutions by providing jobs where employers recognize the demands that college enrollment places on students. ICUT supports the THECB's request to increase the program's funding to $5.5 million for fiscal year 2004 and $8.5 million for fiscal year 2005 to provide more on-campus work opportunities for students.
Result: The Legislature increased funding for College Work-Study to $4.42 million per year for the biennium.
Advanced Technology Research Program: New inventions, discoveries and technological developments increase our state's productivity and promote economic growth. ICUT supports ARP/ATP and we believe that funding for these programs should be increased.
Result: The Legislature reduced funding for the Advanced Technology Research Program to $19.5 million for the biennium.
Proposed Legislation
ICUT will seek passage of the following bills during the 78th Legislature.
- SB 253 (Staples) A bill to clarify that public and private institutions of higher education are not "youth camps" for Texas Department of Health (TDH) purposes, even though they may host children on their campuses for various summer activities. TDH regulation is an unnecessary and costly burden that duplicates city and county health and safety codes and accreditation requirements.
Result: The Legislature passed this bill without objection, and the Governor signed it.
- A bill to allow financial aid officers at independent institutions to make TEG grants to TEXAS Grant recipients in amounts that best meet the TEXAS Grant recipients' needs. The combination of the two grants would not exceed the tuition charged by the students' institutions, and TEG would remain limited to the statutory maximum grant amount. The change requires no additional funding for either program.
Result: The Legislature adopted the provisions of this bill as an amendment to SB 1007 (West).
ICUT also supports extending and reauthorizing the Telecommunication Infrastructure Fund (TIF).
ICUT's response to the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute
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