State lawmakers have defeated the idea of keeping Blinn College revenue generated in Bryan from going to Brenham.
The sponsor of House Bill 1903, Rep. John Raney of Bryan, told lawmakers $7 million dollars a year generated in Bryan is spent on the home campus in Brenham.
Opponents, including Ed Thompson of Pearland, feared the formula would be applied statewide.
Another opponent, Rep. Leighton Schubert of Caldwell, whose district includes Brenham, said he would “continue to work with Blinn for them to do the right thing and make sure they’re spending the funds correctly and fairly.”
The House defeated the measure on second reading by a margin of 92-43.
After the vote, Raney issued the following statement:
The bill’s failure to pass was a result of the spread of misinformation at the 11th hour by special interest groups interfering in a local issue.
Given the coverage HB 1903 has received in the media and it being a topic in the Blinn President candidate forums, I am hopeful more attention will be focused on equally serving all Blinn students.
As a member of the House Committee on Higher Education, I am confident community colleges as a whole will be a large topic of discussion during the interim and I look forward to participating.
Click below for comments from Rep. John Raney, introducing an amended version of HB 1903:
Click below for a summary of comments during debate on the House floor from Rep. Leighton Schubert of Caldwell, Rep. Ed Thompson of Pearland, Rep. Drew Springer of Gainesville, Rep. Cecil Bell of Magnolia, and Rep. Raney:
