AUSTIN – State Representative Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) has been chosen to serve as the Co-Chair of the Joint Interim Committee on Higher Education Formula Funding.
The committee will prepare recommendations for the reorganization, or possible elimination, of items in the higher education budget which are not a part of the institution’s basic formula for funding. From there, the ten-member committee will consider updates and improvements to formula funding. The committee was created as a result of a provision in the state budget that was signed into law earlier this year.
“After serving two sessions as the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee which funds higher education, I feel well equipped for the task at hand,” Ashby said. “I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on this joint committee to determine if our current higher education formulas need to be updated. Providing our students with a world class education is critical for the future of our growing state, and ensuring we’re funding our colleges in an efficient and prudent manner is an essential part of accomplishing this objective.”
Joining Ashby will be State Representatives Donna Howard (D-Austin), Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria), John Raney (R-College Station), and Justin Rodriguez (D-Austin), as well as Senate Co-Chair Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) and Senators Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), and Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown).
In the appointment announcement Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) thanked the House members for their willingness to serve and added: “Outstanding colleges and universities are essential to the success of our economy and the future of our state. I hope that this committee will recommend ways to fund higher education that are productive, efficient and supportive of student success.”
Representative Ashby is the State Representative for House District 57, which encompasses all of Angelina, Houston, Leon, Madison, San Augustine, and Trinity Counties. He is currently in his third term as a member of the Texas House of Representatives and serves on the House Appropriations, Natural Resources, and Calendars Committees.
