MEETING OF THE
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
February 19, 2009
Minutes
The Legislative Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College
held a meeting on Tuesday, February 19, 2009 at the HCC Administration Building,
3100 Main, 2nd Floor, Seminar Room B, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Diane Olmos Guzman, Committee Chair
Mills Worsham, Committee Member
Bruce Austin
Neeta Sane
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Mary S. Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Renee Byas, General Counsel
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
Bill Harmon, President, Central College and Interim President, Coleman College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
OTHERS PRESENT
Kim James, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Dwight Boykins, Consultant, Boykins and Schneider
Mary Schneider, Consultant, Boykins and Schneider
Catherine Campbell, Consultant, Yaffe|Deutser
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Guzman called the meeting to order at 1:39 p.m. and declared the Committee
convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as listed on the
duly posted Meeting Notice.
REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS
Status of Stimulus Proposal
Remmele Young provided an overview of the stimulus package approved by Congress
and signed by the President entitled “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009” with the following highlights:
Houston Community College
Legislative Committee – February 19, 2009 - Page 2
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Bill includes spending and tax provisions
Total amount: $789.5 billion
Less than Senate bill ($838 billion)
Less than the House bill ($819 billion)
Funding covers fiscal years 2009-2010
The components for community colleges are as follows:
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Pell Grant
American Opportunity Tax Credit
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund
Department of Labor Job Training Programs
Trade Adjustments Assistance
National Science Foundation
Health Professions Training
Mr. Young mentioned that there was an increase in Pell Grant effective July 1, 2009.
The increase will provide a positive student increase. Mr. Young noted that the
American Opportunity Tax credit has replaced the Hope Scholarship tax credit of $1800
to a new maximum credit of $2,500, which covers 100% of student’s first $2,000 and
then 25% of the next $2,000. This is a temporary tax credit that includes eligible
expenses such as books and other expenses related to course work.
Mr. Young mentioned that the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund total amount is $53.6
billion to be distributed according to the formula, based on the state’s general and
school aged population.
Mrs. Guzman asked if any of the funds would be used for infrastructure. Mr. Young
mentioned that HCC proposed projects would be under facilities modernization of the
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. He noted that the funds cannot be used for new
facilities or to increase endowments.
Mr. Young mentioned that the legislation is unclear about the amount of overall physical
relief to public institutions, but the amount should be substantial.
Mr. Young discussed the Department of Labor Job Training Programs. $3.95 billion
funding which will go directly for training and employment and apprised that the
Workforce Investment Act Programs include dislocated workers, adult workers and
youth workers.
Mr. Austin mentioned that he is concerned about the college’s GIS capabilities. He
noted that the college should be in position to deal with job loss. He noted that the
youth program should be connected to HISD and should be career oriented. He noted
that a tremendous amount of funds are spent with the state workforce commission that
could be used for funding youth programs and career training.
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Legislative Committee – February 19, 2009 - Page 3
Mr. Schechter asked if the college has developed a plan to tap into the areas that are
providing funding under the stimulus plan. Mr. Young mentioned that the bill will be
reviewed to identify areas where the college would be able to acquire some of the
funding.
Mrs. Guzman suggested reviewing the possibilities of seeking funds for a particular area
such as nursing where there is a known short fall. Dr. Spangler mentioned that it has
been noted that education is the driver to the economic turnaround and that the other
areas will naturally move to the forefront.
(Mr. Schechter stepped out at 2:01 p.m.)
Mr. Young discussed competitive grants for job training, research, and labor exchange.
Ms. Guzman asked if this will be done through competitive grants. Mr. Young mentioned
that some of it will definitely be done through competitive grants.
Mr. Young apprised that the National Science Foundation has allocated $100 million
with $60 million (Robert Noyce Scholarship), $25 million (Math & Science Partnerships),
$15 million (Professional Science Master’s Programs). He noted that generally the
programs are not ideal for community colleges, but likely beneficial from a Math &
Science perspective.
Mr. Austin mentioned that math and science is an area where a different pedagogy
should be developed to reach students and suggested identifying ways to crosspollinate to reach the students.
(Mr. Schechter returned at 2:10 p.m.)
Dr. Spangler apprised that Mr. Austin’s suggestion is something to consider for the next
phase of innovative program funding.
Mr. Young advised that the final comments on the stimulus package are to position
HCC to compete for relevant funds.
Mrs. Guzman suggested to possibly have a link from HCC website to receive legislative
alerts through ACCT. Mr. Young apprised that he would take the responsibility to make
certain the links are available to provide updates and tracking capabilities.
Dr. Spangler apprised the Board of the 2.5% state budget reduction request for fiscal
year 2009. She noted that the college did respond via memorandum informing that the
reduction would impact the summer semester program.
(Mrs. Sane arrived at 2:17 p.m.)
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Legislative Committee – February 19, 2009 - Page 4
Mr. Dwight Boykin informed that HCC was the only community college on the list to
receive funding for the nursing program from the 2009 budget cycle and funding should
be forthcoming.
Mr. Schechter asked if a periodic report could be provided to the Board that shows what
is being done to get funding under the stimulus package. Dr. Spangler mentioned that
as information becomes available, it would be forwarded to the Board.
Mrs. Guzman recommended that a report be provided to the Board on a continuous
basis.
Mr. Young apprised that Congressman Green recommended that the college review
environmental concerns.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Recorded by:
Sharon R. Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Transcribed and submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Approved: