AUSTIN — Representative Jimmie Don Aycock will offer a critical amendment to

HB1 for the stateʼs 50 community colleges. The Aycock amendment will move $140

million from the community college state formula to Higher Education Group Health

Insurance for community college faculty and staff - the amendment is revenue neutral.

Currently, HB 1 makes significant cuts to college employee group health insurance

reducing state funding by over 80%. In addition, HB 1 currently treats community

college employee health insurance like public schools. Community colleges are

essential institutions of higher education, not public schools.

“If the Aycock amendment is not adopted the state will be making a significant policy

change at a time when community colleges are facing enormous budget pressures,”

said Dr. Richard Rhodes, Chair of the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC)

and President of El Paso Community College. He continued, “For our institutions to

attract and retain high quality faculty and staff, we must maintain employee benefits that

enable us to compete with universities for the best and the most qualified employees.”

Dr. Rey García, TACC President said, “Representative Aycockʼs amendment simply

moves funds from one state funding source to another, but it is crucial for the ongoing

ability for our colleges to serve students and local communities with talented and highly

qualified faculty and staff.”