Texas House Bill HB2951

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to appropriations to certain public junior colleges affected by Hurricane Ike.

Impact

By establishing a minimum funding level for affected public junior colleges, HB2951 aims to stabilize the financial situation of these institutions in the wake of Hurricane Ike. This is particularly crucial for colleges situated in counties with populations exceeding 250,000 bordering the Gulf of Mexico, as they are expected to face ongoing challenges due to the hurricane's impact. The legislation is set to expire on September 1, 2011, indicating a temporary relief measure aimed at aiding recovery efforts.

Summary

House Bill 2951 addresses the appropriations for certain public junior colleges in Texas that were affected by Hurricane Ike. The bill specifically amends Section 130.003 of the Education Code to ensure that for the state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2009, public junior colleges located in specified counties will receive no less funding than they had for the previous biennium. This measure is intended to provide support to these institutions as they recover from the damages incurred during the hurricane.

Contention

While the bill does provide a much-needed lifeline to certain public junior colleges, it may also raise questions about equity in funding across the state's educational institutions. Critics might argue that while this bill offers immediate assistance to specific colleges, it could inadvertently lead to disparities where institutions not qualifying under these provisions may receive less support. The provisions set to expire in 2011 will also necessitate further legislative action to determine long-term funding solutions for all junior colleges.