MEETING OF THE
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
June 18, 2009
Minutes
The Legislative Committee of the Board of Trustees of Houston Community College
held a meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at the HCC Administration Building, 3100
Main, 2nd Floor Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Diane Olmos Guzman, Committee Chair
Mills Worsham, Committee Member
Neeta Sane
Richard Schechter
ADMINISTRATION
Dan Seymour, Vice Chancellor/Acting Chancellor
Renee Byas, General Counsel
OTHERS PRESENT
Kim James, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Dwight Boykins, Consultant, Boykins and Schneider
Mary Page, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens, and representatives of the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Guzman called the meeting to order at 12:07 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
Remmele Young provided an overview of state activities as follows:
•
Formula Appropriations
o $140,674, 225 (Biennium FY 2008-2009)
o $ 45,753,415 (FY 2010)
o $ 45,753,415 (FY 2011)
•
Group Health Insurance (2010-2011)
o Government vetoed FY 2008 employee benefits
o Vetoed funds restored during session
o $153,979,799 for all community colleges ($10,278,083 to HCC)
o Funds available August 31, 2009
Houston Community College
Legislative Committee – June 18, 2009 - Page 2
•
Hurricane Ike Related Funds (Total to date: $4,555,549)
o Anticipated state funding of $1.5 million
o Property insurance: $1.5 million
o Flood insurance: $103,451
o Grant award: $728,267
o FEMA award: $85,696
o Anticipated FEMA funding: $638,135
•
New Campus funding
o Funding for community colleges $3,500,000
o HCC FY 2010 ($726,843)
o HCC FY 2010 ($726,843)
o Funds remaining from 2010 with approval of the THECB may be used for
same identified purpose the next year
Mrs. Guzman asked for clarification on new campus funding. Mr. Paul Colbert informed
that there is no restriction other than the purpose of the funding anticipation to generate
an increase in enrollment. Mr. Young advised that the funds would flow to the college
with enrollment increases and noted that this year’s appropriation request included
funding for four new campuses.
Mrs. Guzman provided information on the Texas Enterprise Fund and requested that
the administration review the Temple College “Scott and White” initiative regarding
public/private partnership. She noted that the college should be collaborating with the
private sector regarding the nursing program. Neff Partida noted that there is currently
a study regarding the enterprise fund.
Mrs. Guzman informed that the Community College Association of Texas Trustees
(CCATT) held a meeting on June 13, 2009 and noted that HCC has joined the
organization and the CCATT Board is now in place.
Mr. Young noted that the Governor has until June 21, 2009 to veto the pending bills. He
noted that a report will be provided on the status of the bills regarding the following:
•
•
•
Annexation
Professional Nursing Shortfall Reduction Program
Proportionality
o Failed passage in senate
o Must determine how to re-surface bill
FEDERAL REPORT
Mr. Dwight mentioned that HCC was the only community college in the state to receive
government funding for a nursing program. He noted that healthcare issues are the top
priority discussions. Mr. Boykins apprised that the goal of the President is to have the
budget approved by August 2009.
Houston Community College
Legislative Committee – June 18, 2009 - Page 3
Mr. Young informed that Congressman Al Green apprised of appropriations for 110th
congress for the EMT program. He noted that Senator Hutchinson also was
responsible for the funding.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:44 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: