Senate allocates more money to higher ed than the House

But the proof of the pudding will be in what the Conference Committee decides

The Texas Senate has voted to allocate $241.3 million in General Revenue Funds (GRF) more than the house for the 2008-2009 biennium for public institutions of higher education. Overall, the Senate plan increases funding for higher education by $1,019.1 million (+9.2 %) compared to $777.7 million (+7.1%) in the House plan. The Senate plan also allocates $112.2 million more than the House plan for higher education employees' group insurance contributions.

The House and the Senate versions of the General Appropriations Act, however, must now be reconciled by a conference committee composed of five representatives and five senators. The five house conferees are: Warren Chisum (R, Pampa), co-chair; Ryan Guillen (D, San Diego); Dan Gattis (R, Georgetown); Sylvester Turner (D, Houston) and Lois Kolkhorst (R, Brenham). The five senate conferees are: Steve Ogden, co-chair (R, College Station); Judith Zaffirini (D, Laredo); Tommy Williams (R, The Woodlands); Robert Duncan (R, Lubbock); and John Whitmire (D, Houston). The Conference Committee has not yet begun its deliberations. When the Conference Committee begins meeting, TFA will urge the conferees to support the Senate version of funding for higher education.

 

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