Higher Education: Investing in the future of Texas.

 “Middle class families are being priced out of a college education. We must  ensure that the Rose Amendment dollars are directed where they were intended—merit based scholarships for middle class families.”

"The students, faculty and staff at Texas State University–San Marcos have and always will be a priority for my office.  Every dollar that the state invests in our university increases the value of your degree and impacts our local economy greatly."

Rep. Patrick M. Rose  

 

Patrick Rose:  Our Generation, Our Future

As a member of the House Higher Education Committee, Rep. Patrick Rose has worked to make college affordable for middle class families.  As the representative for Texas State University–San Marcos and its 30,000 students and faculty, he understands its economic impact to our region and has championed the university’s legislative agenda in Austin. 

As the state’s share of funding for higher ed has decreased and universities have relied on increased tuition, Rep. Patrick Rose has fought for relief for students from middle class families.  Rep. Rose believes that tuition deregulation should not be the future of funding at our universities and his main concern is its negative effect on the middle class.  Rep. Rose understands that college must be affordable for a strong Texas economy and that higher education is the best economic development dollar we spend. 

Rep. Patrick Rose:  A Record of Results for Texas State students, faculty and staff

80th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature

  • Working with the Texas State Associated Student Government, Rep. Patrick Rose passed legislation creating an athletic fee and giving students a majority representation on the committee that determines how the money is to be spent.  In 2005, the ASG approved a resolution proposing this fee and then in 2006, 81% of students supported the fee in a non-binding referendum. 
  • Passed legislation strengthening the ability of the Higher Education Coordinating Board to create a five-year master plan for higher education.
    • Secured $2 million in start-up funding for Texas State’s nursing program.
  • Secured $9.8 million for programs at Texas State in the 08-09 State Budget. 

79th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature

  • Rep. Patrick Rose passed HB 1968, legislation creating a non-voting student regent position on the boards of regents of all public university systems in Texas.  The first student regent bill was filed in 1969 and Rep. Patrick Rose finally passed it in 2005.  

  • Secured $42.7 million for construction of undergraduate academic center at Texas State - San Marcos campus and $36 million for construction of nursing building at the Texas State - Round Rock campus.

  • Passed legislation requiring boards of regents to allow public testimony at all of their regular meetings.

  • Secured $5.8 million for programs at Texas State in the 06-07 State Budget.

     

     

    78th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature

      • Faced with a $10 billion deficit and resulting across-the-board cuts at all state agencies, including a 7% cut at institutions of higher education, the Legislature chose to give tuition flexibility to institutions rather than have them face additional cuts.
      • Rep. Rose amended the tuition deregulation bill to require that 20% of the revenue increases resulting from tuition deregulation go to fund scholarships.
      • The Rose Amendment has created over $9.8 million in new scholarship funding at Texas State University.
        • Rep. Patrick Rose authored legislation with Sen. Wentworth changing the name of Southwest Texas State University to Texas State University.
          • Secured $7.6 million for programs at Texas State in the 04-05 State Budget.