May 20, 2012

This month, my wife and I will join other proud parents in crowded auditoriums brandishing our cameras — and no doubt embarrassing our kids — at both a high school and a college graduation. From experience, I know these ceremonies, and especially the roll call of graduates, can be long. For the good of our state, they need to be even longer.

As chairman of the Texas House Committee on Higher Education, one of my responsibilities is to monitor the progress of 1.6 million students taking classes at colleges and universities across our state.

May 25, 2012    

Reeve Hamilton    

Updated, May 25: After completing its review, the state auditor confirmed that, indeed, both Texas Tech University and the University of Houston have met the state's requirements to gain access to the National Research University Fund.

In a statement, House Higher Education Committee Chairman Dan Branch, R-Dallas, commended the institutions and their local communities. "Today, the state is closer than ever to elevating more universities to nationally compeititive research status," he said.

May 26, 2012    

Blog    

In a TV ad, Republican state Sen. Jeff Wentworth's campaign shows a woman assuring a friend in a coffee shop that Wentworth, who seeks re-election, is "a solid conservative."

She lists Wentworth accomplishments, including that "he restored prayer and the pledge in our schools."

May 26, 2012    

Reeve Hamilton    

After an extensive review, the Texas state auditor has confirmed that both Texas Tech University and the University of Houston have met the state's requirements to gain access to the National Research University Fund.

In a statement, House Higher Education Committee Chairman Dan Branch, R-Dallas, commended the institutions and their communities. "Today, the state is closer than ever to elevating more universities to nationally competitive research status," he said.

May 25, 2012    

Texas Tech University    

Texas TechUniversity received official notice today (May 25) from the State Auditor's Office that it has met the necessary criteria and is now eligible to receive a share of the state's National Research University Fund (NRUF).

Inclusion to the fund moves the university a step closer toward its ultimate goal of becoming a nationally competitive research university. In March, Texas Tech President Guy Bailey unveiled a 10-year business plan for the university with the end goal of inclusion in the Association of American Universities (AAU).

May 25, 2012

Press Release

DALLAS- The State Auditor's Office has completed its audit and concluded that the University of Houston and Texas Tech University have met the requirements for distributions from the new state National Research University Fund (NRUF).

"I commend both Texas Tech and the University of Houston for reaching this historic milestone of success. The faculty and students, as well as the communities of Lubbock and Houston, should be proud of their accomplishments," said House Higher Education Chairman Dan Branch (R-Dallas). "Today, the state is closer than ever to elevating more universities to nationally competitive research status; an important goal set by the Texas Legislature and endorsed by the voters in 2009."

May 24, 2012

Ross Ramsey

Candidates in the two crowded Republican primary races for the Texas Railroad Commission, grasping for voter attention and trying to break out of their respective packs, could be headed to July runoffs, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll.

The May survey also finds a strong Tea Party contingent in the Texas GOP, but not as strong as it was a year ago. Voters appear willing to consider alternatives to their current state representatives. Three-fifths said they plan to vote early instead of waiting for the May 29 election to come around after the three-day weekend. And they're about as engaged in a hypothetical 2014 race for lieutenant governor as they are in this year's races for the Railroad Commission.

May 22, 2012

Rep. Dan Branch gave the commencement speech for the Texas A&M Health Sciences Center Baylor College of Dentistry graduation. Congratulations to the graduates of 2012.

May 18, 2012    

Reeve Hamilton    

The cost of college in Texas is back at center stage, following speculation over the last week that University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers' job was in jeopardy over his public disappointment with University of Texas System leaders for their decision to freeze tuition at the flagship campus.

Both Board of Regents Chairman Gene Powell and UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa have denied that Powers' statement about the tuition decision — that it will "affect our ability to teach our students and make new discoveries" — has threatened his job security. But they flatly disagree with his assessment, contending that tuition hikes are not sustainable for students or their parents.

May 20, 2012

This month, my wife and I will join other proud parents in crowded auditoriums brandishing our cameras — and no doubt embarrassing our kids — at both a high school and a college graduation. From experience, I know these ceremonies, and especially the roll call of graduates, can be long. For the good of our state, they need to be even longer.

As chairman of the Texas House Committee on Higher Education, one of my responsibilities is to monitor the progress of 1.6 million students taking classes at colleges and universities across our state.