Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SJR53

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Sent toSOS
 
Proposed Const. Amend.
 

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to entitle The University of Texas at Brownsville to participate in the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund.

Impact

If enacted, the amendment would specifically alter Article VII of the Texas Constitution to facilitate the inclusion of The University of Texas at Brownsville alongside other universities eligible for benefits from the permanent university fund. This change has the potential to positively impact the university's budget, allowing it to improve facilities, expand academic offerings, and support student services. Furthermore, it would align the university's funding capabilities with those of its peers within the University of Texas System, enhancing its competitiveness and attractiveness to prospective students.

Summary

SJR53 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow The University of Texas at Brownsville to participate in the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund. This proposal is significant as it aims to enhance the financial resources available to the university, which can be utilized for funding various educational programs, infrastructure improvements, and other related needs. By being entitled to a share of the permanent university fund, the university can seek greater stability and sustainability in its financial planning and development.

Contention

This proposed amendment could elicit discussions around equity in education funding among Texas higher education institutions. Proponents argue that The University of Texas at Brownsville deserves equal access to financial resources already available to other universities, emphasizing that this amendment would remedy historical funding disparities. Opponents may raise concerns regarding the implications of reallocating existing funds or resources, particularly in a competitive funding environment. Hence, while the amendment aims to provide necessary funding to the university, it also highlights the broader issue of fair distribution of state educational resources.

Companion Bills

TX HJR2

Identical Proposing a constitutional amendment to entitle The University of Texas at Brownsville to participate in the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund.

TX SB2409

Enabled by Relating to the higher education fund and the allocation and distribution of certain constitutional revenues to The University of Texas at Brownsville.

Previously Filed As

TX SJR26

Proposing a constitutional amendment to entitle all component institutions of The Texas A&M University System and The University of Texas System to participate in the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund.

TX HJR189

Proposing a constitutional amendment reducing The University of Texas System's share of the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund, transferring to the national research university fund and general revenue fund a portion of the annual distribution made from the permanent university fund to the available university fund, appropriating the portion transferred to the national research university fund, and dedicating the portion transferred to the general revenue fund to provide for the support and maintenance of public institutions of higher education.

TX SB1055

Relating to the creation of a new university in Nacogdoches, Texas, within The University of Texas System and the allocation of the annual constitutional appropriation to certain agencies and institutions of higher education; abolishing Stephen F. Austin State University.

TX HB2639

Relating to the creation of a new university in Nacogdoches, Texas, within The University of Texas System and the allocation of the annual constitutional appropriation to certain agencies and institutions of higher education; abolishing Stephen F. Austin State University.

TX SJR81

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of funds to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System and certain component institutions of the Texas State University System and repealing the limitation on the allocation to the Texas State Technical College System and its campuses of the annual appropriation of certain constitutionally dedicated funding for public institutions of higher education.

TX SJR49

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating a university research fund to support emerging research universities in The University of Texas System or The Texas A&M University System and disqualifying all component institutions of those university systems from receiving money from the national research university fund.

TX SJR69

Proposing a constitutional amendment dedicating to the national research university fund a portion of certain income from the lease for oil and gas exploration of land dedicated to the permanent university fund.

TX HJR201

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of career and technical education programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System, the Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College-Orange, and Lamar State College-Port Arthur.

TX HJR3

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.

TX SJR5

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.