Texas House Bill HJR189

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 3/10/23

Caption

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.

Impact

If enacted, HJR189 would amend Article VII of the Texas Constitution. The proposed amendments would allow a sizable portion of the annual distribution from the PUF to be transferred to the NRUF (25%) and to the general revenue fund (75%). The intended outcome is to ensure stable funding for institutions of higher education, thus addressing funding disparities and promoting improvements in Texas education infrastructure. Furthermore, the amendment preserves financial obligations related to existing bonds issued before May 2024, securing previous investments and stabilizing the funding environment for these educational bodies.

Summary

HJR189 is a proposed constitutional amendment that aims to modify the distribution of income and benefits from the Permanent University Fund (PUF). Specifically, the bill seeks to reduce The University of Texas System's share and allocate a portion of the funds to both the National Research University Fund (NRUF) and the general revenue fund. This change is presented as a means to enhance financial support for public institutions of higher education across Texas, reflecting a growing concern over funding adequacy for these institutions.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HJR189 is mixed among various stakeholders. Supporters, including some legislators and education advocates, argue that this amendment is necessary to ensure equitable resource allocation for all public universities in Texas. They believe that redistributing funds from the PUF can strengthen institutions that may be underfunded. Conversely, critics express apprehension regarding the decrease in funding for The University of Texas System, fearing that this could detrimentally impact its institutional capabilities and undermine its established status in higher education.

Contention

Notable points of contention include concerns about the long-term financial implications for The University of Texas System specifically, which has traditionally benefited from the PUF. Opponents of HJR189 argue that reducing its share could jeopardize the high standards of education and research historically associated with the System's institutions. Additionally, the debate underscores broader concerns about prioritization in state education funding and whether this shift will adequately address disparities among Texas public universities without negatively impacting those currently recognized as leaders.