Texas legislators have a difficult task this session when it comes to balancing the state budget for the next biennium. UT Austin has been tremendously affected by the current crisis but has continued innovating education and actively contributing to the state’s recovery. 

HISTORY

The legislature uses funding formulas to distribute available state appropriations to higher-education institutions as the core investment from the state. This base level of funding is calculated primarily on enrollment and estimated average cost by program. The Higher Education Coordinating Board prepares and presents these calculations to the Legislative Budget Board in June of even years. In 2011, higher education suffered substantial cuts to base funding levels that have not been restored. However, in recent years, appropriators have maintained modest increases in funding for higher education that have spurred innovation, a strong workforce, and that have helped attract businesses to our state. 

HISTORY

“Exceptional items” are specific university projects, institutions, or programs that have traditionally been appropriated funds outside of the base formulas. In recent years, special items have sparked conversation at the legislature regarding ways to better organize and maintain this important funding. Some consideration has been given to the idea of removing this special project, non-formula funding from the budgetary process and putting the associated dollars back into the available funds for the higher education formulas. This approach would adversely affect UT Austin, because the current higher education funding formulas do not consider special research programs and projects, nor do the current formulas consider what many believe to be the appropriate factors for institutions of higher education. In 2017 UT Austin’s special items were reduced by an average of 30%. In 2019, special item funding was maintained. As appropriators consider options for balancing the budget in the upcoming 87th Legislative Session, it’s important that UT Austin advocates and friends help convey the significant value that these special items have. 

The Texas Hub for Applied Cybersecurity will provide Texas with a diverse and highly trained pipeline of cybersecurity professionals by offering minors, certifications, and apprenticeships in applied cybersecurity for traditional and non-traditional students in a world-class learning space.

The Texas Digital Molten Salt Reactor will ensure that Texas becomes a leader in the design, development, innovation, and commercialization of molten salt reactors to provide flexible, reliable, on-demand electricity and water desalination.

Long COVID Research at Dell Med will expand clinical work at the medical school and support research into the underlying nature of and potential treatments for long COVID.