Joint Budget Hearing Texas Public Community Colleges Presentation to: Governor’s Office of Budget, Planning and Policy Legislative Budget Board Texas Association of Community Colleges October 5, 2004

Introduction Community colleges are critical to guaranteeing the future success of the state’s economy. Job and economic growth in Texas depends on the ability to deliver a trained and educated workforce. Texas can only be as successful as its community colleges. 1

Enroll over a million students each year Over 270,000 students enroll in workforce education courses to enhance job skills Hospitals and medical facilities depend on community colleges Many of our students are the first persons in their family to attend college Community colleges are addressing the teacher shortage Community college students represent the diversity of Texas Committed to Our Mission and Closing the Gaps 2

Community Colleges are the Largest Sector of Higher Education 3

Unprecedented Growth at Community Colleges Percent of Contact Hour Growth From Previous Biennium 4 *

Current Fiscal Crisis At a time when colleges are asked to do more, the state is paying less. 52 percent of the funding formula was funded for the current biennium. The current appropriation is almost 17 percent less. than community colleges received in the previous biennium. 5

The difference between the and the appropriation represents a 16.6 percent decrease. The funding amount is the same as the biennium. Appropriation Per Contact Hour* * Actual dollars, not adjusted for inflation 6

When inflation is taken into account, the appropriation per contact hour drops to $4.86 for FY , a 21.4% decrease from FY

The cost of attending a community college has shifted from the state to the student and local taxpayer. 8

Appropriation, Tuition/Fee, Property Tax Comparison Percent Change of CC Revenue/Contact Hour:

Legislative Priorities Appropriations. The 79 th Legislature must restore funding to community and technical colleges. TACC requests an additional $357.9 million to the community and technical college formula for FY Employee Benefits. The 79 th Legislature must fully fund employee benefits for community and technical college faculty and staff. 10

Employee Benefits Out of pocket expenses for health insurance increased an average of $900 annually for faculty and staff. The Employees Retirement System recently increased health insurance premiums 5 percent for family and dependent coverage. TACC does not support any proposal which would define the state’s responsibility as a portion of the state’s contribution (currently 31 percent). 11

Restore 5% Additional $357.9 million STARLINK to Dallas CCD VCT to Austin CC Support new campus requests from community college districts Exceptional Item Requests 12

Other Funding Issues 13 Fully fund dramatic enrollment growth Restore the funding floor to the FY level for small/rural colleges (4.63 million for the biennium) Hold Harmless (5 percent) Skills Development Fund - $50 million High Priority Program Development Fund - $20 million Fund existing special items Increase funding of Texas Grant II Separate funds for nursing growth and new campus Restore threshold to 5% and 10% levels

TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES 1101 Trinity, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78701; 512/ ; Fax: 512/ ; Website: OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: David E. Daniel, Ed.D., President Midland College John E. Pickelman, Ph.D., President-Elect North Harris Montgomery Community College Millicent M. Valek, Ph.D., Secretary-Treasurer Brazosport College William R. Crowe, Ph.D., Past President Tyler Junior College Ramon Dovalina, Ph.D. Laredo Community College, At-Large Member Martha Ellis, Ph.D. Lee College, Southeast Texas Region Charles Florio, Ph.D. Northeast Texas Community College, East Texas Region Richard Sanchez, Ed.D. Navarro College, Central Texas Region Alan Scheibmeir, Ph.D. Grayson County College, North Texas Region Ismael Sosa, Jr., Ph.D. Southwest Texas Junior College, South Texas Region Cheryl T. Sparks, Ph.D. Howard College, West Texas Region Steve Thomas, Ph.D. Vernon College, At-Large Member Don Voelter, Ph.D. Blinn College, At-Large Member TACC Staff Reynaldo R. Garcia, Ph.D., Executive Director Don Hudson, Associate Director Robin Parker, Administrative Assistant 14 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE