10/4/2023 0 Comments 2021 texas legislative sessionThe Texas Research University Fund was appropriated $147.07 million, which represents a 17.5 percent increase over the previous biennium. The legislature strengthened the TEXAS Grant Program by $40 million annually, which funded 70 percent of eligible students at $5,000. Total formula funding for UT Austin went up 1.5 percent, though this didn’t put formula funding back to 2009 levels. The 2019 legislative session was a positive one for higher education. And Texas Exes and The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M’s biannual Orange & Maroon Legislative Day-when Longhorns and Aggies come together to advocate for their universities-will happen virtually on Feb. Dade Phelan, BA ’98, who is vice chair of the Longhorn Caucus. At press time, it looks like the next speaker of the house will be State Rep. The university has played a key role in developing a potential vaccine for COVID-19, a noteworthy accomplishment that could lend a favorable hand during session. The session has the potential to be an eventful one for UT Austin. Thousands more are expected as the state forecasts billions of dollars in shortfalls to the state budget. On the first day of pre-file legislation in November, more than 530 bills had already been filed in the House and Senate. As the state continues to be one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus, and following a tumultuous political year, lawmakers have a lot to get to. Kicking off in January, the 140-day session is set to be a crucial one for the state of Texas. From the upcoming topics of discussion to how lawmakers physically intend to govern, the 87th Texas Legislative Session will be like none other before it. We are encouraged that the Legislature responded in a strong, bipartisan fashion during the federal funding debate, and hope to build on these wins to guide future improvements on the work that’s left to be done.AS the U.S.-and the world-continues to adapt to unprecedented times, so must the Texas Legislature. In the Senate, bills we supported received an average final vote of 30-1, with 96% of Senate Republicans supporting and 100% of Senate Democrats.In the House, bills we supported received an average final vote of 130-2, with 100% of House Republicans supporting and 95% of House Democrats.But underneath those numbers is a bipartisan success story: The top-line results are straightforward: the three bills we actively supported passed the legislature, and the three bills we opposed did not pass. Not all of these bills will generate front-page news, but the quality and volume of these reforms will generate long-term progress and returns on investment to the state’s taxpayers for years to come.ĭuring the three consecutive special sessions of 2021, our policy team took a leading role in advocating for prudent utilization of federal stimulus funds, worked to ensure students had access to remote and in-person learning this fall, opposed efforts to reduce rigor in addressing COVID learning loss, advocated for increased funding for legislative staff, and opposed vaccine-related legislation that would have created an untenable position for Texas employers. The 87th Texas Legislative Session came at a time of tremendous challenge with both the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Winter Storm Uri.Īgainst that backdrop, we remained focused on all six areas of our legislative agenda that we had identified before the legislative session, and supported legislators of both parties in passing laws that will benefit Texans for years to come. From education, health and the state budget to digital connectivity, government performance and workforce issues, the 87th Texas Legislature took important steps forward this year in six areas that directly affect Texans’ lives.Īnd Texas 2036 played a key role in driving that success during our first legislative session by offering lawmakers a stable, policy-focused alternative to the high-profile political issues that often drew headlines.
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