Dive Summary:
- Preliminary Texas budget proposals filed Tuesday include a 2% funding decrease for higher education institutions during the 2014-15 biennium, though funding may change before the Texas Legislature approves the final budget later in the session.
- The state's current higher education budget is $15.1 billion, and the proposed budgets from the Texas House of Representatives and Senate are $14.8 billion and $14.9 billion respectively.
- Center for Public Policy Priorities analyst Don Baylor points out the irony of state financial input potentially decreasing while the Legislature also attempts to increase its policy input, including legislation guaranteeing fixed tuition for students.
From the article:
Higher education institutions would face a 2 percent funding decrease during the 2014-15 biennium if the Texas Legislature passes preliminary budget proposals filed Tuesday. However, funding may change before the Legislature approves the final budget later in the session – as it has in the last few sessions. ...