• Rubi Reyes •
• Originally published December 31, 2008 at 11:48 p.m., updated December 31, 2008 at 11:48 p.m.

All 50 public community college districts in the state have come together and set two priorities for the 2009 legislative session.

The Texas Association of Community Colleges, a non-profit association, holds quarterly meeting to discuss concerns administrators and students have about community colleges.

TACC has decided to ask the 81st Legislature to look at appropriations and employee benefits for community colleges.

"We come together and decide which priorities would benefit us all," Tom Butler, Victoria College president, said. "We have more strength as a group."

Butler and TACC felt if they concentrate on two priorities they have a better chance of having legislature approve their priorities.

"If every community college selects different priorities it can make things more difficult," he said. "This way we are all in agreement and we'll have a better chance."

The "New Community College Compact with Texas" was proposed by community colleges as a solution to help the state achieve its goal of "Closing the Gaps."

The compact consists of three components: base funding, incentive funding, and financial aid.

"We would like to increase our base funding to $2.29 billion," Butler said.

This amount would be distributed throughout the community colleges in the state, he said. Over the years base funding has declined.

"We would like for the state to restore funding," Butler said. "We have done our part and so have taxpayers, now it's the state's turn."

More access to higher education and more funding for community colleges is a priority for the state, State Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, said.

"We are trying to provide more money for base and incentive funding," she said.

Community colleges are often recognized for their low tuition rates, and at the moment VC has no plans to increase tuition, Butler said.

"We try to keep tuition as low as possible," he said. "We serve many low income students and want them to receive a quality education at a low price."

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program is for students attending a two-year institution. The grant is for students who are under-served by other state financial aid programs.

"We would like for funding to increase from $14 million biennially to $50 million," Butler said.

This would enhance the student affordability of community college.

TACC is also asking legislature for better employee benefits.

• VICTORIA COLLEGE 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

  Employee Benefits

  Texas Association of Community Colleges is asking the 81st Legislature to pass legislation to codify its commitment of funding community college group healthcare insurance based on employee eligibility.

  TACC is asking the legislature ...

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VICTORIA COLLEGE 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Employee Benefits

Texas Association of Community Colleges is asking the 81st Legislature to pass legislation to codify its commitment of funding community college group healthcare insurance based on employee eligibility.

TACC is asking the legislature to fund community college group healthcare insurance.

The 80th Legislature rejected the notion of applying proportionality to community colleges and provided funding for group healthcare insurance for eligible faculty and staff.

In June 2007, the second year of group health insurance appropriations for community colleges was vetoed, but in the fall of 2007 the governor and legislative leaders reached an agreement to restore the funds.

For more information about VC's and other community colleges' priorities for the upcoming legislative session visit: www.tacc.org

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