The Daily Texan 06/19/2009

During the 2009 legislative session, certain lawmakers managed to shine through the whirlwind of legislation and partisan politics that delayed productivity during the 140 days.

The session was called unproductive — overshadowed by partisan politics and an upcoming gubernatorial Republican primary between Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Gov. Rick Perry.

But some state lawmakers made strides for higher education measures including a top 10 percent cap, making funding available to add tier-one universities in the state and gaining substantial funding for the hurricane-ravaged University of Texas Medical Branch.

After each of the last 36 legislative sessions, Texas Monthly Magazine has chosen the “Ten Best and Worst Legislators” of the year. Those lawmakers who topped the list were honored Thursday at a banquet.

State Rep. Craig Eiland, R-Galveston, made the magazine’s prestigious “Top 10” list. Although much substantial legislation never made it to the House floor, Eiland managed to reach his lofty expectations to raise funds for UTMB.

He raised more than $550 million in funds through three different pieces of legislation to restore the coast and also reestablished a state windstorm insurance fund.

“Our expectations were met, and we were extremely happy to be home after the session and see the people’s attitude changing, knowing that UTMB is going to be back,” Eiland said.

Galveston and the medical branch were devastated by the storm, and Eiland said his top priority during the session was to ensure that the island would make a comeback. Hopes of that happening were not always guaranteed for the island, particularly when the UT System Board of Regents considered moving the medical branch from the island to a new location on the mainland.

Sherri Greenberg, UT lecturer and former state representative, said the session “came, as they all do, to a screeching halt.”

She said although the legislators are only technically required to pass the state budget, there are many other important and necessary bills that were swept under the rug because of the House Democrats’ efforts to “chub” the voter ID legislation.

“The voter ID bill seemed to control the session from start to finish,” Greenberg said. “It started off with the Senate suspending the two-thirds rule, and only doing so for the voter ID bill, which I thought set a very contentious tone in the Senate, and it was quite dicey in the House.”

She said despite the problems, there were a number of members who had a great session in both the House and the Senate.

“There are always people who rise above and are leaders, and are accomplished,” Greenberg said.

She said one of the successes of the session was the top 10 percent cap, authored by State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, but noted that a potentially important bill that would freeze tuition increases did not make its way through.

The top 10 rule legislation will cap the portion of each public state university’s admitted by the rule at 75 percent..

Cal Jillson, a political science professor from Southern Methodist University, said the session was “fairly lackluster” and got off to a slow start because of the new speaker and the implosion over the voter ID bill.

He said Dan Branch, R-Dallas, did a good job advancing a measure that would allow seven “emerging research institutions” to compete for funds to reach tier-one status. The governor signed the measurement on Wednesday.

“It was one of the most significant pieces of legislation passed,” Jillson said of Branch’s bill.

Branch said that even with only three tier-one institutions, Texas has led the nation in population growth and job creation, but needs to establish more research institutions if it wants to continue its strong economic growth.

“Businesses want to establish themselves around large universities,” Branch said. “[Having more] research universities will really help drive innovation and bring in a lot of intellectual capital.”

He said overall the session seemed to be a failure in the eyes of many people because of the structural problems, and that the state needs to seriously consider an annual session.

“You can’t ask politicians not to play politics,” Jillson said. “The broadest thing about the session is that Texas is only one of 10 to have a biannual legislative session. It has complicated issues to deal with, and there is too much to accomplish in a short time.”

Session brings few, vital votes

Limit on top 10 percent admissions one of many bills helping universities

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Session brings few, vital votes Limit on top 10 percent admissions one of many bills helping universities

Friday, June 19, 2009 By Erin Mulvaney During the 2009 legislative session, certain lawmakers managed to shine through the whirlwind of legislation and partisan politics that delayed productivity during the 140 days. The session was called unproductive — overshadowed by partisan politics and an upcoming gubernatorial Republican primary between Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Gov. Rick Perry. But some state lawmakers made strides for higher education measures including a top 10 percent cap, making funding available to add tier-one universities in the state and gaining substantial funding for the hurricane-ravaged University of Texas Medical Branch. After each of the last 36 legislative sessions, Texas Monthly Magazine has chosen the “Ten Best and Worst Legislators” of the year. Those lawmakers who topped the list were honored Thursday at a banquet. State Rep. Craig Eiland, R-Galveston, made the magazine’s prestigious “Top 10” list. Although much substantial legislation never made it to the House floor, Eiland managed to reach his lofty expectations to raise funds for UTMB. He raised more than $550 million in funds through three different pieces of legislation to restore the coast and also reestablished a state windstorm insurance fund. “Our expectations were met, and we were extremely happy to be home after the session and see the people’s attitude changing, knowing that UTMB is going to be back,” Eiland said. Galveston and the medical branch were devastated by the storm, and Eiland said his top priority during the session was to ensure that the island would make a comeback. Hopes of that happening were not always guaranteed for the island, particularly when the UT System Board of Regents considered moving the medical branch from the island to a new location on the mainland. Sherri Greenberg, UT lecturer and former state representative, said the session “came, as they all do, to a screeching halt.” She said although the legislators are only technically required to pass the state budget, there are many other important and necessary bills that were swept under the rug because of the House Democrats’ efforts to “chub” the voter ID legislation. “The voter ID bill seemed to control the session from start to finish,” Greenberg said. “It started off with the Senate suspending the two-thirds rule, and only doing so for the voter ID bill, which I thought set a very contentious tone in the Senate, and it was quite dicey in the House.” She said despite the problems, there were a number of members who had a great session in both the House and the Senate. “There are always people who rise above and are leaders, and are accomplished,” Greenberg said. She said one of the successes of the session was the top 10 percent cap, authored by State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, but noted that a potentially important bill that would freeze tuition increases did not make its way through. The top 10 rule legislation will cap the portion of each public state university’s admitted by the rule at 75 percent.. Cal Jillson, a political science professor from Southern Methodist University, said the session was “fairly lackluster” and got off to a slow start because of the new speaker and the implosion over the voter ID bill. He said Dan Branch, R-Dallas, did a good job advancing a measure that would allow seven “emerging research institutions” to compete for funds to reach tier-one status. The governor signed the measurement on Wednesday. “It was one of the most significant pieces of legislation passed,” Jillson said of Branch’s bill. Branch said that even with only three tier-one institutions, Texas has led the nation in population growth and job creation, but needs to establish more research institutions if it wants to continue its strong economic growth. “Businesses want to establish themselves around large universities,” Branch said. “[Having more] research universities will really help drive innovation and bring in a lot of intellectual capital.” He said overall the session seemed to be a failure in the eyes of many people because of the structural problems, and that the state needs to seriously consider an annual session. “You can’t ask politicians not to play politics,” Jillson said. “The broadest thing about the session is that Texas is only one of 10 to have a biannual legislative session. It has complicated issues to deal with, and there is too much to accomplish in a short time.”