Dewhurst makes plea for community colleges solution

AUSTIN
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst made a public plea Wednesday for state leaders to find a way to reallocate $154 million in vetoed funds for community college health insurance.

Gov. Rick Perry vetoed the funds last month and community college officials from all over the state have responded with anger, saying they'll have to consider tuition increases, local tax increases or restricting enrollment.

Perry rejected the money because of a provision that would have made health insurance allocations to college employees based on their salaries.

"I want this issue addressed now ... before the impact of these funding cuts are felt," Dewhurst wrote in a Wednesday letter to senators. Lawmakers were not able to agree on a solution to college funding in the legislative session that ended in May and they're not scheduled to meet again until 2009.

A legislative budget panel that includes Perry, Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick can decide to reallocate the funds with a majority vote and agreement from Perry, but no meeting is scheduled.

"The governor welcomes input from lawmakers and has already begun working with the Higher Education Coordinating Board and community college leaders ... to work toward a solution to meet the needs of our colleges," said Perry spokesman Krista Moody. "With that said Governor Perry has continuously proposed additional funding for community colleges, however, he wants to ensure that solutions are proposed within the spirit of the law."

Dewhurst said he'll designate a working group of state senators, staff from Perry's office and community college representatives to find a solution.

- Associated Press