Speaker of the House Joe Straus has announced the names of House members to serve on the conference committee on the budget for the next biennium. The representatives are: Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie), Rep. Richard Raymond (D-Laredo), Rep. Ruth McClendon (D-San Antonio), Rep. John Otto (R-Dayton), and Rep. John Zerwas (R-Richmond).
As reported earlier, senators on the panel will be: Sen. Steve Ogden (R-Bryan), Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano), Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands), Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas), and Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen).
The work of the Conference Committee will decide the fate of many important matters for community and technical college educators. Currently, for instance, the Senate version of the bill contains a stipulation mandating proportionality in funding health benefits for community colleges, while the House version does not. TCCTA opposes proportionality. The efforts of the conference committee may depend upon the possible passage of bills introduced in each chamber (and supported by TCCTA) precluding the use of proportionality in funding health benefits for community college educators.
TCCTA members who are constituents of the above officials are especially urged to be on the alert for announcements urging immediate contact with elected officials. Now would also be a good time to thank them for their service, and urge these lawmakers to support Texas community colleges by adequately funding the instructional formula, eliminating proportionality, and supporting the TRS and ORP retirement programs.
IMPORTANT: Do not use college equipment or e-mail addresses in communicating with policy makers.
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