07-E Response to Governor's Veto
DRAFT
f:attorney\reswork\current\Governor's Veto Actions Res
August 6, 2007
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS, IN RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR'S VETO OF CERTAIN FUNDING
FOR PARIS JUNIOR COLLEGE AND OTHER STATE COMMUNITY
COLLEGES AND COMMENTS MADE BY GOVERNOR PERRY ABOUT
COMMUNITY COLLEGE REQUEST FOR FUNDING; MAKING OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Paris Junior College and the other forty-nine Texas community college districts
enroll over 50 percent of public higher education students; and,
WHEREAS, Paris Junior College serves as the primary trainer and re-trainer of people in
Paris and Lamar County entering and becoming successful in the area workforce; and,
WHEREAS, Paris Junior College has continued to increase higher education opportunities
and workforce training programs for our region which has led to consistent enrollment growth; and,
WHEREAS, Paris Junior College has grown and contributed significantly to the State's
Closing the Gaps goals; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris has reviewed Governor Perry's press
statements and proclamations regarding the veto action, including disparaging language suggesting
that Paris Junior College and other Texas community colleges have submitted legislative requests
that are "fraudulent" in nature; and,
WHEREAS, we as responsible citizens representing the City of Paris object to the
Governor's budget cuts and to the language used which undermines the public trust of our
community colleges statewide; and,
WHEREAS, the Governor has failed to act upon the original agreement when community
college districts were established for Texas, and the funding formula established for instruction costs
to be paid by the State, and construction and operation costs would be paid for by the local college
districts through tuition, fees, and taxes; and,
WHEREAS, the fiscal impact of the vetoed funding for health benefits in the amount of
$154,000,000, and of the veto of new campus funding to Paris Junior College and other colleges
around the state will be devastating; and,
WHEREAS, college officials will either have to raise tuition for students, reduce services
and offerings, or find additional ways for local taxpayers to cover the shortage, all potentially
endangering the stability of these institutions of higher education; and,
WHEREAS, over 50 percent of the State's higher education students attend public
community colleges, but less than 15 percent of the State's higher education funding is going to
community colleges, and;
WHEREAS, this lack of funding and the recent veto by Governor Perry further challenges
these colleges, punishes students wanting to attend an institution of higher education, and will
seriously limit the growth and progress of business and industry in our community as well as others
served by Paris Junior College;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PARIS, TEXAS THAT:
Section 1. The findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all things
approved.
Section 2. We urge Governor Perry to retract his statement suggesting "fraudulent"
legislative submissions by the community colleges of the State.
Section 3. We urge the Governor to consider all State efforts to improve higher education
to include community colleges and that he reinstate the employee health insurance appropriations
for 2008-2009.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 13th day of August, 2007
Jesse James Freelen, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
w. Kent McIlyar, City Attorney