Constitutional Amendments Election

Constitutional Amendments Election This week I will begin to discuss the constitutional amendments that will appear on the November 6th ballot. These amendments were joint resolutions that were passed during the recent legislative session; however, because they change the Texas Constitution, they need state-wide voter approval before they can take effect. Over the next several weeks I will write about each of the 16 propositions, and include supporting and opposing arguments. Proposition 1: Transferring constitutional facilities funding for Angelo State University Article VII of the Texas Constitution establishes the higher education fund (HEF) to provide funding for facilities and other capital items at certain institutions of higher education. During the 80th session, a bill was passed that transferred the governance, management, control, and property of Angelo State University to the Texas Tech University System. Angelo State University is located in San Angelo. Proposition 1 would move the HEF listing for Angelo State University from under the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System. Supporters say that Prop. 1 would be the last step in implementing the desire of ASU students, the residents and business community of San Angelo, and the Texas Legislature to align ASU with the Texas Tech University System. The proposition is needed to ensure that ASU's HEF funding will continue now that ASU's governance has moved to the Texas Tech System. Opponents say that ASU students have benefited from being part of the Texas State System, and that the change in the HEF designation would not be in the best interests of the students of ASU or the Texas State University System. Amendment No. 2: Authorizing general obligation bonds to finance student loans This constitutional amendment would authorize the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to issue up to $500 million in general obligation bonds to finance educational loans to college and university students. Supporters say that the bonds are essential to meet the growing demand for student loans for students attending colleges and universities, especially as tuition and fees continue to rise rapidly. The availability of student loans is critical to ensure that Texans can obtain the education they need to be productive contributors to the state’s workforce. Without the proceeds from the proposed bonds, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will not be able to provide loans to all eligible applicants in the near future. Similar bond measures have been approved in the past, and have proven to be successful and self-sufficient by depending not on state tax dollars but on money from student loan repayments, federal subsidies, and other sources. Opponents counter that the state should be wary of adding to its debt. While the loan program has not required general revenue in the past, unexpected circumstances, such as a sudden increase in student loan default rates, could require the taxpayers to foot part of the bill to repay the bonds. The student loan program funded by the general obligation bonds competes with loan programs already offered by private lenders. Higher education loans will be available through the private lending market regardless of whether the state operates a separate program to offer such loans. You can view a complete list of the proposed constitutional amendments with analyses online at www.tlc.state.tx.us. For more information regarding these propositions, please contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us. My district office phone number is (903) 891-7297.