Bill: SB 686, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

Senate Higher Education

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Neutral Neutral Neutral Negative Neutral

Author(s)

Kel Seliger

Bill Caption

Relating to the mathematics and science teacher investment fund for the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program.

Fiscal Notes

State Impact

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB686, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($5,103,770) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.

No significant fiscal implication to local government.

Bill Analysis

This bill would amend current law to allow the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program and the mathematics and science teacher investment fund to receive general appropriations by the legislature. Currently, the programs can only receive and collect gifts, grants, and other donations.

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 686 would abridge the principle of limited government, therefore we oppose this legislation. The principle of limited government can be affirmed or abridged by a change in the size and scope of government, as well as changes in spending by government.  The proposal in this bill would change both negatively.  The legislation expands government by allowing the legislature to give taxpayer money to a loan repayment fund, which would result in additional spending of general revenue by the legislature.

It should not go unnoticed that when this program was created by the legislature in 2013 it was with the stipulation that the program would be funded only by private gifts and grants. 

As a final note, other federal and state programs that help teachers repay their student loans already exist, further negating the case for funding this program through appropriations. 


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 11:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/sb686?print_view=true