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Higher
Education Public
Education Economic
Development Family
Values Rural
Texas
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» What We Have Accomplished:
Recognizing that continuing education is vital to the
future success of the Texas economy, the Legislature
has taken numerous steps to make continuing education
a reality for all Texans. Additionally, the Legislature
has implemented numerous initiatives that will allow
Texas' institutions of higher education to remain competitive,
both nationally and globally.
TEXAS Grant - Through the appropriations process,
the legislature increased TEXAS Grant funding to $324
million, which will go to those students who show the
greatest academic promise, but who lack the financial
means necessary to continue their education. In addition,
SB 1007 allows institutions to base TEXAS Grant awards
on a high school student's seventh semester transcript,
which will make the application process more efficient.
HB 1887 (Morrison - Author) abolished the state-imposed
research tax that created an uneven playing field in
the competition for valuable federal research dollars.
By eliminating this tax, Texas' institutions saved $86
million and are now ensured that they will have a fair
opportunity to receive the federal funding that was
previously going to competing states.
HB 1890 (Morrison - Author) expanded the number
of eligible candidates for the $1,000 tuition rebate
program by exempting hours accumulated through AP courses.
HB 3526 (Morrison - Co-Author) consolidated
the Texas Excellence Fund and the University Research
Fund into the Research Development Fund, which will
create a more equitable method for awarding research
dollars to institutions of higher education.
SB 4 (Morrison - Sponsor) established the Texas
B-On-Time student loan program, which forgives student
loans for those students who graduate on time and with
at least a 3.0 GPA.
SB 286 (Morrison - Sponsor) created the Baccalaureate
Pilot Project, which will improve accessibility to 4-year
degree programs by allowing certain junior colleges
to offer baccalaureate degrees in areas where accessibility
is limited.
SB 976 (Morrison - Sponsor) expanded the innovative
"Middle College" program to enable more students,
especially those at-risk of dropping out, to acquire
college credits while finishing high school.
» What We Need to Do:
SELECT COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
For the first time in more than a decade, a joint select
committee on higher education has been established to
develop a strategic plan for the future of higher education
in the state of Texas. SB 1652 (Morrison - Sponsor)
established the committee, which is co-chaired by Rep.
Geanie Morrison and Sen. Florence Shapiro. The committee
has been charged to study the financing, structure and
organization of the state's systems of higher education.
In addition, the committee is studying the equity in,
adequacy of and accessibility to higher education in
the state of Texas. Upon completion of the study, the
committee will develop a strategic plan for higher education
and will make recommendations to the 79th Legislature.
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» What We Have Accomplished:
Many advances have been made in public education that
will benefit both teachers and students alike. With
an eye toward the future, the Texas Legislature has
taken numerous steps to ensure that all Texas children
receive the tools necessary for future success and continuing
education.
HB 1844 authorized the Commissioner of Education
to establish a pilot program to reimburse teachers for
the cost of classroom supplies provided to students.
HB 1440 eliminated annual appraisals for Texas'
most proficient teachers. Instead, consenting teachers
will be required to undergo appraisal at least once
every five years.
SB 396 created a technology immersion pilot
project that will allow TEA to provide students in selected
districts with laptops, accessibility software and other
technologies.
SB 976 (Morrison - Sponsor) expanded the innovative
"Middle College" program to enable more students,
especially those at-risk of dropping out, to acquire
college credits while finishing high school.
HB 3459 increased funding for the Foundation
School Program by $1.2 billion in general revenue. The
additional funds are to be distributed to districts
based on $110 per student in weighted daily attendance.
» What We Need to Do:
Parental Involvement
Parents must partner with teachers to ensure that Texas
schools are ready to meet the challenges of the 21st
Century. Technology has drastically altered the manner
in which we educate our children. Unfortunately, due
to a number of technical and financial limitations,
technology is not readily available to all Texans. Whether
geographic or socioeconomic, Texas must do more to ensure
that every child has access to advancing technology,
and that "No Child is Left Behind."
Technology has also allowed parents to play an active
role in the accountability process. Through the use
of the Internet, parents now have access to the annual
accountability ratings and performance measures published
by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). It is critical
for parents to take advantage of this invaluable resource,
because, as parents, we have a right to expect excellence
in education and demand improvement where we find it
lacking.
Safe Classrooms
As our culture continues to be infiltrated by images
of violence, drug use and sexual promiscuity, the State
of Texas must renew its commitment to safe schools and
character development. While moral education rightfully
begins at home, parents should be confident that their
efforts are being supplemented in the classroom.
Texas schools should be safe bastions for both our
children and our teachers. Research and testimony from
veteran educators have proven that an environment conducive
to learning can only be established through discipline
and structure. To provide that environment, Texas teachers
must be equipped with the resources necessary to take
back control of their classrooms. By allowing teachers
to remove violent and persistently disruptive students
from the classroom we achieve an environment that encourages
learning and instills discipline.
Texas Teachers
Texas teachers are the bedrock of the public education
system. However, difficult working conditions and excessive
government bureaucracy have led to a critical shortage
of qualified teachers nationwide. Texas is no exception.
A recent study conducted by TEA has shown that for the
2000-2001 school year, Texas lacked nearly 40,000 certified
schoolteachers. This shortage has placed a tremendous
strain on our already overcrowded classrooms, and led
to numerous disciplinary incidents.
Flexibility in teaching, enforcement of the Paper Reduction
Act, small class sizes and increased rewards for performance
will be critical in Texas' recruitment efforts. These
reforms, along with continuing education incentives,
must be implemented if we are going to achieve our goal
of employing Texas' best and brightest teachers.
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» What We Have Accomplished:
The 78th Legislature made substantial changes in the
way the State promotes economic development and tourism
by consolidating, and making more efficient many of
the existing government programs. To create a single
point of contact for prospective businesses, the programs
and functions of the agencies consolidated will now
be administered by the Governor's office, similar to
how they are performed in other states with which Texas
competes.
SB 1771 created the Texas Enterprise Fund, which
provides the State an important tool for recruiting
new business by allowing for a rapid response to economic
development opportunities.
SB 15 secured the funds that encouraged Toyota
to build an $800 million factory in San Antonio. The
initial project created 2,000 jobs, with an additional
5,000 future jobs anticipated for San Antonio and the
surrounding area.
» What We Need to Do:
Texas has the 8th largest economy in the world. We
are home to 45 Fortune 500 companies and 14 of the 100
Fastest Growing Businesses in America (Fortune Small
Business Magazine).
For Texas to remain the leader it is today, state and
local leaders must continue to work together to attract,
retain and grow business opportunities. We must continue
to tailor economic incentive packages that meet the
needs of companies, communities and the state. We must
continue to strive for a work environment that is absent
unnecessary regulation, and one that promotes the principles
of the free market.
As the Crossroads of South Texas, House District 30
is strategically located to reap the benefits of a strong
Texas economy. With close proximity to four key metropolitan
areas, access to a major barge canal, two exceptional
institutions of higher education and a diverse business
community, HD 30 has the right mix to thrive in the
new world markets. However, to capitalize on our assets,
it is vital for federal, state and local leaders to
continue to implement public policy that benefits small
business, big business and consumers alike.
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» What We Have Accomplished:
Fetal Pain Protection Act
HB 15 (Morrison - Co-Author) requires that abortions
performed at or after the 16th week of pregnancy be
performed in a licensed hospital or ambulatory surgical
center. Additionally, this legislation requires that
a mother seeking an abortion be provided with material
containing information regarding pregnancy and adoption.
Upon receiving this information, the mother must then
wait 24 hours before an abortion can be performed. The
bill also creates an offense for physicians who intentionally
violate the law, and limits the number of abortions
that can be performed in a facility without the facility
being licensed as an abortion provider. In addition,
SB 319 (Morrison - Sponsor) provides a wrongful death
cause of action and criminal penalties for the death
of an unborn child, such as resulted from the Lacey
Peterson case in California.
HB 155 (Morrison - Co-Author) prohibits a registered
sex offender from owning or working for a sexually oriented
business and prohibits sexually oriented businesses
from hiring registered sex offenders.
HB 236 (Morrison - Co-Author) enhances penalties
for the offense of possessing obscene materials depicting
a child under the age of 18.
HB 854 (Morrison - Co-Author) restricts eligibility
for Texas Infrastructure Fund loans and grants to those
public schools and libraries that have adopted and implemented
an Internet safety policy that protects children from
access to obscene materials.
HCR 13 (Morrison - Co-Author) urges congress
to enact the Protect Children From E-Mail Smut Act of
2001.
HCR 14 (Morrison - Co-Author) urges congress
to enact the Child Modeling Exploitation Prevention
Act of 2002.
» What We Need to Do:
Texans are facing a new era, an era where information
will be accessible to any and everyone with a click
of a button. But with this access has come a new threat,
a predator often referred to as a cyber criminal. Through
the use of the Internet, sexual predators, kidnappers
and con artists have almost unfettered access to our
children. Therefore, our number one priority must be
to protect Texas' children, and the only way to protect
them is by getting involved in their lives and reaching
them before the miscreants of our society can rob them
of their innocence.
The ever-increasing trend toward glorifying violence,
sexual promiscuity and casual drug use must be reversed.
By allowing these images to permeate our society, we
have created an environment that nourishes deviant behavior.
To combat this proliferation, parents must return to
the core family values that teach right from wrong and
that we must take responsibility for our actions.
Additionally, Texans must promote the involvement of
charitable and faith based organizations. These institutions
should be welcomed partners in our efforts to build
a better society. With a proven record of delivering
morally grounded services, these institutions can provide
the type of guidance that rejects government handouts
and promotes self-reliance.
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» What We Have Accomplished:
Throughout my service in the Texas House, I have worked
closely with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)
and the Rural Caucus to ensure that rural economic development
received the attention it deserved. With the establishment
of the Office of Rural Affairs and the Texas Capital
Fund, TDA will now provide technical, on-site assistance
to rural businesses, as well funding for infrastructure,
real estate, and main street development. This initiative,
along with a sound commitment to preserving rural Texas
have laid the foundation on which numerous businesses
can be built and on which numerous jobs will be created.
» What We Need to Do:
Texas and its leaders must prepare to meet the challenges
of the 21st Century. With the diversification of our
economy and the ever-expanding technology gap, it is
more important than ever before that rural Texas not
get left behind.
With over 50 percent of the representation in the Texas
Legislature coming from major metropolitan areas, it
will be critical that rural Texas continue to fight
for a comprehensive legislative agenda that includes;
improved education, enhanced economic development, protection
of natural resources and better transportation.
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