Bill: SB 2118, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
Senate Higher Education
2nd Chamber Committee
House Higher Education
Vote Recommendation
| Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
| Yes |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Positive |
Author(s)
Kel Seliger
Sponsor(s)
Sarah Davis
Bill Caption
Relating to authorization by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for certain public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs.
Fiscal Notes
From the LBB: the fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time. The bill could result in a net decrease in General Revenue due to decreased formula funding at general academic institutions and health related institutions, which could be partially offset by increased formula funding at public junior colleges in fiscal years 2020-2021. The bill could result in a net decrease in tuition and fee revenue at general academic institutions and health related institutions due to estimated declines in enrollment in certain programs.
Bill Analysis
SB 2118 would authorize the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to allow public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate programs. A junior college would only be allowed to offer three baccalaureate programs at one time, and the board would determine whether a public junior college may offer baccalaureate degree programs and what degree programs may be offered based on certain factors. These degree programs would be funded solely by a public junior college’s proportionate share of appropriations, local funds, and private sources.
Vote Recommendation Notes
Community and junior colleges have proven to be an extremely valuable resources in the hierarchy of higher education. Often providing a valuable education at a much lower cost than traditional universities and colleges. Allowing them to offer bachelors degrees would very likely benefit those students seeking to further themselves without forcing them into untold amounts of debt and financial strain. However, are concerned about the potential fiscal implications this bill would have on the state. We would have no objection to this bill if the legislature had demonstrated history of holding institutes accountable and controlling costs, however that is not the case.
The costs of higher education has continued to rise and has led to the point where this session we are finally seeing bills that direct these entities to freeze their current tuition rates. Our continued concern with publicly run higher education is that the cost seems to be on a never ending upward trajectory and the taxpayers are being asked to help fund these endeavors.
We strongly urge the legislature to keep this in mind as they seek to expand this educational access. However, for its attempt in providing high quality education at a more cost effective level, we support SB 2118.
