April 24, 2009

HB 51 - Pathway to More Tier One Universities - Passes House

(Austin, TX) – HB 51, which will help more of our emerging research institutions to reach national research university, or "Tier One," status was approved overwhelmingly by The Texas House on Friday afternoon.

"More great universities will develop the talented students we must have to secure our future," said the author, Rep. Dan Branch, Chairman of the House Higher Education Committee. He continued, “The lack of more tier one universities is costing Texas $2.7 Billion in lost research dollars per year and causing thousands of our top students to attend universities in other states.” The bill received broad based support from 91 joint and co-authors from across the state that signed on in support of the bill and passed with 137 votes.

HB 51 creates a competitive, three tier system to support the seven Emerging Research Universities in Texas (UT Dallas, UT Arlington, UT San Antonio, UT El Paso, University of North Texas, Texas Tech and the University of Houston) in their quest to acheive Tier One status. The bill matches research funding and charitable giving in the near term and rewards institutions with enhanced funding once a university reaches an established threshold of performance measures.

HB 51 now moves to the Senate. To keep track of this bill and other legislation, please visit www.legis.state.tx.us.

Attached is a link to the recent The Dallas Morning News Op-Ed by Branch covering Texas' need for more national research universities: www.danbranch.com.