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"Our reaction to the veto goes beyond disappointment. It is no exaggeration to state flatly that a sense of betrayal is spreading among the teachers and administrators charged with the most vital educational project of the next generation."
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Letter from TCCTA State President to Gov. Perry
June 28, 2007
The Honorable Rick Perry
Governor of Texas
P. O. Box 12428—Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
Dear Governor Perry:
The Texas Community College Teachers Association is a professional association, consisting of approximately 6,000 faculty, administrators, counselors, librarians, and other educators on every community college campus in Texas. We are by far the largest organization of two-year college educators in the state.
We strongly take issue with the June 15 veto of the appropriations for employee health benefits for FY 2009. On this matter we are in full agreement with the Texas Association of Community Colleges.
The veto proclamation states that college leaders “falsified” their appropriation request. TCCTA members or staffers were present for all revenue hearings and we must respond emphatically that no falsification—or any sort of distortion—occurred. Certainly, there were differences regarding the issue of “proportionality,” but college leaders were consistently straightforward and factual in their presentations—and members of the House and Senate ultimately accepted our point of view. I urge you to review the official record of the hearings of October 2 (the initial LAR request presented to the combined hearing of the LBB and Governor’s staff), the hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Education on February 7, and the Senate Finance Committee hearing on February 8. You will discern readily that the position of community college leaders has not changed on proportionality since the concept first arose.
Our other point of contention, of course, is the veto itself, which will cause massive financial disruption on every campus in Texas. Precious revenue must now be diverted from instructional programs to comply with the statutory requirement (not to mention the moral obligation) to provide these benefits to educators. Furthermore, it is impossible to fathom how the goal of Closing the Gaps can now escape jeopardy. Most tragically, colleges will be compelled to raise tuition, slamming the door on the very cohort of students who are the vanguard of economic development in Texas.
Perhaps these are among the reasons your own original budget proposal included appropriations to fully fund health insurance benefits for community college employees.
Our reaction to the veto goes beyond disappointment. It is no exaggeration to state flatly that a sense of betrayal is spreading among the teachers and administrators charged with the most vital educational project of the next generation.
We are aware that policy options are limited at this point. Even if the next Regular Session enacts supplemental legislation correcting the situation by September 2009, colleges will have implemented their budget cuts in educational programs. It is our understanding, however, that the LBB possesses the authority to reinstate the funds. If this is correct, we strongly urge immediate action to do so. We urge you further to explore any other remedies that may be available.
Governor, we feel this controversy could have been avoided with better communication. TCCTA will continue to represent the interests of its members in a constructive fashion. Please contact our state office if you wish to have further information.
Sincerely,
Terry S. Mouchayleh
State President
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