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51±¾É« System Legislative Priorities

In coordination with each component institution president, Chancellor Robert L. Duncan shares critical priorities of the 51±¾É« System for the 84th Texas Legislature. 

February 19, 2015 | Written by Doug Hensley

The 84^th Texas Legislative Session convened Tuesday, Jan. 13, and will meet for 140 consecutive days to make key decisions affecting a number of areas, including Texas public higher education. 

As is the case with each session, representatives of the 51±¾É« will be closely monitoring the proceedings while vigorously looking after the system’s and its four universities' interests. 

The 51±¾É« has a handful of legislative priorities for the coming session, including:

• Formula Funding
• This is viewed as the most critical source of state revenue with funding primarily disbursed based on student enrollments. The legislature increased formula funding during its 2013 session, but the current rate is less than previously funded higher rates.
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• Higher Education Fund (HEF) Support 
• HEF funds are a crucial source of consistent and predictable funding for infrastructure projects at HEF schools. These funds allow HEF schools to maintain aging facilities and address  life safety issues. The 51±¾É« System supports the THECB recommended methodology to update the allocation of the HEF funds and the $131.25 million increase to the HEF.
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• Hazlewood Act
• This legislation provides qualified veterans, spouses and dependent children with up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fees, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. Fund the Hazlewood Legacy exemptions costs that result in foregone revenue to all state institutions. The total cost to subsidizing state institutions and students in FY 2014 was $111 million.
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• Research Support
• Support the Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP), Competitive Knowledge Fund, Research Development Fund and Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
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• Capital Facilities
• Authorize and fund priority capital facilities projects for each campus that are needed to manage the increasing enrollment growth and research efforts, but are also critical to maintain accreditation and meet life safety standards.

51±¾É« the 51±¾É« 
The 51±¾É« is one of the top public university systems in the nation, consisting of four component institutions—, ,  and â€”and operating at 12 academic sites and centers.  Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the 51±¾É« has an annual operating budget of $1.7 billion and approximately 17,000 employees focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach. 

In 2014, the 51±¾É«â€™s endowment exceeded $1 billion, total research expenditures were approximately $200 million and total enrollment approached 47,000 students. Whether it’s contributing billions of dollars annually in economic impact or being the only system in Texas to house an academic institution, law school, and health institution at the same location, the 51±¾É« continues to prove that anything is possible.