Thursday, June 21, 2007
DCCCD Chairman responds to Gov. Perry’s veto of group health funding
Shortfall to DCCCD system could amount to $15.7 million
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The Dallas County Community College District has posted online the full text of Chairman of the Board Jerry Prater's letter to Governor Rick Perry in response to his recent line-item veto of 2009 funding for group health insurance for DCCCD (and other Texas community college) employees, stating in part:
Jerry Prater may have been smiling when this photo was taken, but he's not smiling now.
"It is with great disappointment that we write to you on behalf of the Dallas County Community College District regarding your attack on community colleges through your unwarranted, and totally unexpected, line-item veto. As a result of your cuts in 2009 funding for group health insurance, the Dallas County Community College District is now faced with a shortfall of $15.7 million dollars."
The letter goes on to state that Perry, in vetoing the appropriations, made the assertion that community colleges had "falsified" their request.
According to Ann Hatch, Dir. of Media Relations for the district, community college systems all over the state were pretty much blindsided by the governor's late-session (June 15) veto, because, as Jerry Prater's letter explains, Perry's own budget proposal from earlier in 2007 included a full group health insurance appropriation for community colleges. Furthermore, the reporting submitted with the appropriations request met all established guidelines and mirrored the paperwork protocols submitted in previous years.
Governor Rick Perry: cutter of funds
"Your veto and the companion language misrepresent our actions," states Prater's letter. "Both are painful and unnecessary." Prater concludes by requesting that the governor retract his assertions of impropriety on the part of community colleges, and says: "We would welcome an audience to discuss these issues further with you."
Ms. Hatch clarified that the governor's claims of falsification were not specific to DCCCD, but to community colleges as a group. As a result of the veto, Texas community colleges stand to lose $154 million.
The text of a follow-up letter from DCCCD Chancellor Wright Lassiter is expected to be made public later today.
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Comments
John Meyer Staff
Update: Dr. Wright Lassiter, Chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District, has made public his response to the line item veto of funding for the state's community colleges. His lengthy missive can be referenced in its entirety here.
The open letter includes details about what exactly happened, potential effects of the veto and measures that the DCCCD will take to deal with the situation. There are even suggested methods for taking action yourself if you have a vested interest in community college affairs.
Excerpts: "Gov. Perry vetoed approximately $154 million of approved legislative funding for community college employee group health insurance for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, not for the upcoming 2007-2008 fiscal year. The veto will cut funding for DCCCD by $15,758,341. Because we are the largest community college district, you can see that we are absorbing 10 percent of the budget cut."
"It is disturbing that, in his veto proclamation, Gov. Perry unabashedly accused the state’s community colleges of falsifying their funding requests in order to justify the legislative appropriations. That is patently not correct. As DCCCD’s representative, I resent such a characterization."
"The governor must know that this funding cut will cause serious problems. He has suggested that community college boards simply need to raise local property taxes and increase student tuition in order to make up for the reduction in state funding. How are we going to 'Close the Gaps' behind this action?"
"Some ... unpleasant choices include tax and tuition increases, hiring freezes, travel constraints and program cuts in areas like remedial classes that are taken by an ever-increasing number of freshmen who aren’t ready for college-level work."
"Many of our advocates have indicated an interest in expressing your thoughts on this issue. Please visit the DCCCD Governmental Affairs Web page for additional information on how to contact the governor or your state legislator."
2 years, 4 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Rorschach Anonymous
At NHMCCD in Houston, The college district was using these funds to pay for insurance for current and former board members in violation of state law. Board members are not paid, and therefore it is a violation of state law to use state monies to pay for insurance for these individuals. Perry was right in this instance.
2 years, 4 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Sooo... Throw the baby out with the bathwater?
2 years, 4 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
John Botefuhr Verified
No Kidding. Perhaps he could transfer some of the money he's recieved from the big insurance companies to reform workers compensation, or at least some of the Merck & Co. money from the HPV vaccine to the Community Colleges. I am sure there is plenty.
2 years, 4 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
ldoula35 Anonymous
I have a question about insurance. Why can't everyone, from babies to seniors pay $ 5.00 a month each for ins if they are under $30,000.00 a year if over that pay $ 10.00 a month. The state and gov. could continue setting aside the amt they have now and let everyone see the Dr they need and go to any hospital then the state would cover the bill. Everyone on medicare pays 92.00 for ins that could be applied and then all would be treated without the hassle of trying to get numbers so the ins will pay the Drs and hospitals. No one knows the time it takes to call the Ins co. and beg for a pre authorization so someone can see a Dr or have a test that is needed done. I know Ins Co. would be out but the people would be a lot better off. There would be no "free" medical, everyone would have to pay. It could work. Wish you would consider trying it. Elizabeth Luttrell
2 years, 4 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
DC Anonymous
You answer your own questions:
"I know Ins Co. would be out..."
Remember, this is also the place where some people think the homeless like to sleep outside...
2 years, 4 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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