THECB staff outline priorities as 89th Texas legislative session begins

Glenna Bruhn, associate commissioner for public affairs at the Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), told the Agency Operations Committee on Jan. 22 that staff have begun active engagement with the 89th Texas Legislature as the session opened.

“We are 9 days into a 140 day process,” Bruhn said, adding that the board is focusing on financial aid, research initiatives, technology modernization, credentials of value, workforce needs, educational attainment and affordability, research and innovation and community college funding.

Bruhn said the Senate created a combined Senate Committee on Education K‑through‑16 and that Commissioner Rosser is scheduled to testify before the Senate Finance Committee in February. She also said the board is coordinating daily meetings with leadership at the Capitol and institution government-relations staff and is working with the governor’s office on board-identified legislative priorities.

The report said the House had not finalized committee organization as of the briefing but that staff expect clarity in the coming days. Bruhn noted the agency is tracking thousands of bill filings and stands ready to brief the board as proposals develop.

Committee members asked for clarification about the new Senate committee’s scope and leadership; Bruhn said the committee consolidates K‑12 and higher‑education items and that Senator Creighton will chair it. She said how the committee will allocate subjects across hearings is still being worked out.

The update was presented as an informational item; no committee action was required.

Theboard’s public-affairs team asked members to communicate areas where they want additional support or briefings during the session.