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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2017
Contact: Jennifer Saenz
(512) 463-0120 office
(512) 497-9411 cell
Senator Hinojosa Appointed to the Senate
Higher Education Workgroup

AUSTIN, TX — Today, Senator Jane Nelson, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance appointed Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa to the Higher Education Workgroup. The workgroup will submit recommendations to the Committee regarding funding for special items.

Senator Hinojosa offered the following statement regarding his appointment:

“Investing in our institutions of higher education is key to the future growth and success of Texas.

Funding for special items in the state budget play a critical role in ensuring that our universities are providing our students with the tools they need to successfully complete their degrees. They also allow universities to collaborate with their communities to help address local challenges and respond to workforce needs. More importantly, they push the state forward to achieving our 60X30TX goal."

Higher education special items are items in the state budget that are not supported through formula funding and support the special mission of the institution. Special items can also be used to support new academic programs or address geographic disparities and other inequities among institutions.

These items are categorized into four objectives (instructional support, research, public service, and institutional support) and five objectives at the health related institutions (residency training, research, health care, public service and institutional support).

Other members of the workgroup include: Senators Kel Seliger (Chair), Lois Kolkhorst, Larry Taylor, and Kirk Watson.

Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa served as the Senate President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate in the 84th Texas Legislature. Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

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