Texas Proposition 5, Rename State University Research Fund and Establish Ongoing Revenue Source Amendment (2023)
Texas Proposition 5 | |
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Election date November 7, 2023 | |
Topic Education | |
Status Approved | |
Type Constitutional amendment | Origin State legislature |
Texas Proposition 5, the Rename State University Research Fund and Establish Ongoing Revenue Source Amendment, was on the ballot in Texas as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 7, 2023.[1][2] The ballot measure was approved.
A "yes" vote supported renaming the National Research University Fund to the Texas University Fund and allocating annually the interest income, dividends, and investment earnings from the state's rainy day fund to the university fund to support research activities at state universities. |
A "no" vote opposed renaming the National Research University Fund to the Texas University Fund and establishing an ongoing revenue source for the fund. |
Election results
Texas Proposition 5 |
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Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
1,622,620 | 64.35% | |||
No | 898,790 | 35.65% |
Overview
How did Proposition 5 change the National Research University Fund (NRUF)?
- See also: Text of measure
The amendment renamed the National Research University Fund (NRUF) to the Texas University Fund. It also allocated to the fund the interest, dividends, and investment earnings from the Economic Stabilization Fund (rainy day fund) from the preceding fiscal year. The total amount allocated in fiscal 2024 was limited to $100 million. The annual limit will be adjusted for inflation each year but is limited to a 2% growth rate. The University of Texas and Texas A&M systems are excluded from receiving money from the fund. The amendment also excluded money in the fund from the state appropriations limit. Expenses to manage the fund are to be paid for by the fund.[2]
The Texas State Legislature also passed House Bill 1595 (HB1595), the implementing legislation. The bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to determine the amount of each distribution, identify eligible institutions, and report the former to the state legislature and comptroller.[3]
Why are the University of Texas and Texas A&M systems excluded from NRUF funding?
The University of Texas and Texas A&M systems are excluded from NRUF funding because they receive research funds from the Permanent University Fund, established in 1876 and funded by leasing revenue from state-owned lands in West Texas. One-third of the available profit of the PUF is distributed to the Texas A&M system annually, and the remaining available funds are distributed to the University of Texas system. As of 2023, the PUF was valued at over $30 billion.[4]
When the NRUF was established with the adoption of Proposition 4 in 2009 it excluded the University of Texas and Texas A&M systems from funding.
Who supported and opposed Proposition 5?
- See also: Support and Opposition
Texans for More Top Ranked Texas Universities PAC led the campaign in support of Proposition 5. Proposition 5 was endorsed by the Greater Houston Partnership, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, North Texas Commission, Teaching Hospitals of Texas, Texas Association of Business, and Texas Business Leadership Council during the legislative process. Harrison Keller, the Texas Commissioner of Higher Education, said, "The intent is to make these universities more competitive, strong and vital, especially in areas that will be important for regional and state economic development. ... This conversation about equity in funding and boosting emerging research universities has been going on for over a decade among policymakers. TUF is the most substantial investment in a lasting structure that other campuses can use to be more competitive."[5][6]
Ballotpedia did not locate a campaign in opposition to the ballot measure.
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title was as follows:[2]
“ | The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.[7] | ” |
Constitutional changes
- See also: Article 3, Texas Constitution and Article 7, Texas Constitution
The measure amended section 49(g) of Article 3 and section 20 of Article 7 of the state constitution. The following underlined text was added, and struck-through text was deleted:[2]
Note: Use your mouse to scroll over the below text to see the full text.
Article 3, Section 49 (p) On the first business day occurring on or after the 90th day of each state fiscal year, an amount equal to the interest income, dividends, and investment earnings attributable to the economic stabilization fund for the preceding state fiscal year, not to exceed the amount determined under Subsection (q) of this section, is appropriated from the economic stabilization fund to the comptroller of public accounts for the purpose of immediate deposit to the credit of the Texas University Fund. For purposes of this subsection, the amount of interest income, dividends, and investment earnings attributable to the economic stabilization fund for a state fiscal year is computed by:
(q) The amount of the appropriation made under Subsection (p) of this section may not exceed:
Article 7, Section 20 (a) There is established the Texas University Fund
|
Readability score
- See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2023
Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The state legislature wrote the ballot language for this measure.
The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 22, and the FRE is -10. The word count for the ballot title is 31.
Support
Texans for More Top Ranked Texas Universities PAC led the campaign in support of Proposition 5.[8]
Supporters
Corporations
Organizations
- Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
- North Texas Commission
- Teaching Hospitals of Texas
- Texas Association of Business
- Texas Business Leadership Council
Arguments
Opposition
Opponents
Organizations
Arguments
Campaign finance
Texans for More Top Ranked Texas Universities PAC was registered in support of Proposition 5 and reported $1.4 million in contributions. If you are aware of a committee registered to oppose this amendment, please email editor@ballotpedia.org.[9]
Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Support | $1,393,886.00 | $3,883.00 | $1,397,769.00 | $1,051,719.05 | $1,055,602.05 |
Oppose | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee in support of the ballot measure.[9]
Committees in support of Proposition 5 | |||||
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Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
Texans for More Top Ranked Texas Universities PAC | $1,393,886.00 | $3,883.00 | $1,397,769.00 | $1,051,719.05 | $1,055,602.05 |
Total | $1,393,886.00 | $3,883.00 | $1,397,769.00 | $1,051,719.05 | $1,055,602.05 |
Donors
The following table shows the top donors to the committee registered in support of the ballot measure.[9]
Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
---|---|---|---|
Texas Tech Foundation Inc. | $450,000.00 | $0.00 | $450,000.00 |
Texas State University Development Foundation | $250,000.00 | $0.00 | $250,000.00 |
UNT Foundation Inc. | $250,000.00 | $0.00 | $250,000.00 |
University of Houston PAC | $150,000.00 | $0.00 | $150,000.00 |
Texas Tech Alumni and Friends PAC | $50,000.00 | $0.00 | $50,000.00 |
Methodology
To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.
Media editorials
- See also: 2023 ballot measure media endorsements
Ballotpedia lists the positions of media editorial boards that support or oppose ballot measures. This does not include opinion pieces from individuals or groups that do not represent the official position of a newspaper or media outlet. Ballotpedia includes editorials from newspapers and outlets based on circulation and readership, political coverage within a state, and length of publication. You can share media editorial board endorsements with us at editor@ballotpedia.org.
Support
Opposition
You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, at editor@ballotpedia.org
Background
House Bill 1595 (2023)
During the 2023 legislative session, the Texas State Legislature passed House Bill 1595—the implementing legislation for the amendment. HB 1595 was passed in the Senate by a vote of 30-1 on May 27 and in the House by a vote of 128-12 on May 28. The law took effect on January 1, 2024.[3]
The law renamed the National Research University Fund to the Texas University Fund (TUF) and authorized the Texas State Comptroller and the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company to manage the fund. The law lists Texas State University, Texas Tech University, the University of Houston; and the University of North Texas as eligible beneficiaries of the fund. A university would be eligible for the fund if it:
- does not receive funds from the state's Permanent University Fund;
- spent on average $20 million in federal and private research funds during the last three fiscal years beginning on September 1, 2023;
- awarded on average at least 45 research doctoral degrees per academic year during the last three academic years.
The state legislature was required to appropriate money to the TUF in an amount that ensures a stable and predictable stream of distribution for the eligible beneficiaries. The annual distribution to an institution from the fund is required not to be less than the difference between (a) the quotient of the market value of the fund on September 1 of the fiscal year in which an institution would receive the first distribution divided by the difference between one and the institution’s percentage share of the fund for the state fiscal year in which the institution would receive the initial distribution and (b) the market value of the fund on Sept. 1 of the state fiscal year in which the institution would receive the initial distribution.[3]
The law limited the total amount distributed from the fund annually to 7% of the average net market value of the investment assets of the fund. The amount would be distributed to the permanent endowment for education and research base funding (75%) and to the research performance funding (25%).[3]
The law changed the eligibility of which institutions can receive money from the national research support fund by including institutions that are eligible for distributions from the Permanent University Fund, spent a minimum of federal and private funds on research projects, or awarded on average 45 research doctoral degrees during the last three academic years.[3]
National Research University Fund
The National Research University Fund (NRUF) was established in the Texas Constitution in 2009 with the adoption of Proposition 4. It was approved with 55.2% of the vote.
Proposition 4 added section 20 to Article 7 of the Texas Constitution to provide "a dedicated, independent, and equitable source of funding to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities." The amendment authorized the state legislature to adopt criteria for awarding distributions from the fund. The amendment also prohibited the University of Texas and Texas A&M University from receiving money from the fund since they received funding from the Permanent University Fund.
At the time of the election, eligibility requirements included: [10]
- designated as an emerging research university in the Coordinating Board’s accountability system;
- expend at least $5 million in restricted research; and
- comply with four of the following:
- $400 million endowment annually;
- 200 doctoral degrees awarded annually;
- freshmen class with high academic achievement;
- membership in Association of Research Libraries, Phi Beta Kappa or equivalent national recognition;
- high-quality faculty; and
- commitment to high-quality graduate education.
In 2023, Texas Tech, the University of Houston, the University of Texas-Dallas, the University of Texas-Arlington, and the University of Texas-San Antonio qualified for NRUF funding.[11]
Permanent University Fund
The Permanent University Fund (PUF) was established when the Texas Constitution was adopted in 1876. Section 11 of Article 7 governs the fund which receives proceeds from the lease of land in West Texas, which encompasses 2.1 million acres. The land is leased to oil and gas companies, farmers for grazing, wind farms, and other revenue-generating activities. The fund is managed by the University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) under the authority of the UT System Board of Regents. One-third of the available profit of the PUF is distributed to the Texas A&M system annually, and the remaining available funds are distributed to the University of Texas system. As of 2023, the PUF was valued at over $30 billion.[4]
Referred measures on the Texas ballot
- See also: List of Texas ballot measures
In Texas, a total of 281 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1985 and 2022. Two hundred forty-eight ballot measures were approved, and 33 ballot measures were defeated.
Texas statewide ballot measures, 1985-2022 | |||||||
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Total number | Annual average | Annual minimum | Annual maximum | Approved | Defeated | ||
# | % | # | % | ||||
Texas ballot measures in odd-numbered years
Between 1995 and 2021, Texans decided on 175 statewide ballot measures appearing on odd-numbered year ballots. Voters approved 160 measures and defeated 15.
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Texas Constitution
To put a legislatively referred constitutional amendment before voters, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required in both the Texas State Senate and the Texas House of Representatives.
This amendment was introduced as House Joint Resolution 3 on March 10, 2023. On April 17, 2023, the state House passed HJR 3 by a vote of 133-9 with eight not voting. On May 9, the Senate passed HJR 3 by a vote of 30-1. The chambers met in a conference committee to decide on a final version of the amendment. On May 27, the Senate adopted the conference committee version of the amendment by a vote of 30-1. On May 28, the House adopted the same version by a vote of 110-30 with nine not voting or absent.[1]
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How to cast a vote
- See also: Voting in Texas
Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Texas.
How to cast a vote in Texas | ||||||
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Poll timesIn Texas, all polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote. Texas is divided between Central and Mountain time zones.[12]
Registration
To register to vote in Texas, an applicant must be a United States citizen, a resident of the county in which he or she is registering, and at least 17 years and 10 months old.[13] The deadline to register to vote is 30 days before the election. Prospective voters can request a postage-paid voter registration form online or complete the form online and return it to the county voter registrar. Applications are also available at a variety of locations including the county voter registrar’s office, the secretary of state’s office, libraries, and high schools. Voter registration certificates are mailed to newly registered voters.[14] Automatic registrationTexas does not practice automatic voter registration. Online registration
Texas does not permit online voter registration. Same-day registrationTexas does not allow same-day voter registration. Residency requirementsProspective voters must reside in the county in which they are registering to vote. Verification of citizenshipTexas does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Section 18.068 of the Texas Election Code says the following:
In January 2019, the Texas secretary of state’s office announced that it would be providing local election officials with a list of registered voters who obtained driver’s licenses or IDs with documentation such as work visas or green cards. Counties would then be able to require voters on the list to provide proof of citizenship within 30 days.[16] The review was halted by a federal judge in February 2019, and Secretary of State David Whitley rescinded the advisory in April.[17][18] A news release from Whitley’s office stated that “... going forward, the Texas Secretary of State's office will send to county voter registrars only the matching records of individuals who registered to vote before identifying themselves as non-U.S. citizens to DPS when applying for a driver's license or personal identification card. This will ensure that naturalized U.S. citizens who lawfully registered to vote are not impacted by this voter registration list maintenance process.”[19] Verifying your registrationThe Texas Secretary of State’s office allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.
Voter ID requirementsTexas requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[20] The following list of accepted ID was current as of February 2023. Click here for the Texas Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.
Identification provided by voters aged 18-69 may be expired for no more than four years before the election date. Voters aged 70 and older can use an expired ID card regardless of how long ago the ID expired.[20] Voters who are unable to provide one of the ID options listed above can sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and provide one of the following supporting documents:[20]
The following voters are exempt from showing photo ID:[20]
Voters who do not have a photo ID can obtain a Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC) at any Texas driver’s license office during regular business hours. Voters can also obtain an Election Identification Certificate from a mobile station. Locations are listed here.[20] |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas State Legislature, "HJR 3 Overview," accessed April 12, 2023
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Texas State Legislature, "HJR 3 Text," accessed April 12, 2023
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Texas State Legislature, "House Bill 1595," accessed June 8, 2023
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 University of Texas System, "The Permanent Fund," accessed July 10, 2023
- ↑ Inside Higher Ed, "Leveling playing field Texas," April 20, 2023
- ↑ Texas State Legislature, "House Joint Resolution 3," accessed July 2, 2023
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source. Cite error: Invalid
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tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Texas University Fund, "Home," accessed October 10, 2023
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Texas Ethics Commission, "Texans for More Top Ranked Texas Universities," accessed October 10, 2023
- ↑ Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, "National Research University Fund (NRUF)," accessed August 7, 2023
- ↑ Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, "2023 report," accessed August 7, 2023
- ↑ VoteTexas.gov, "Who, What, Where, When, How," accessed February 27, 2023
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, “Request for Voter Registration Applications,” accessed February 27, 2023
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, “Voter Registration,” accessed February 27, 2023
- ↑ Texas Constitution and Statutes, “Election Code,” accessed February 23, 2023
- ↑ The Texas Tribune, “Texas officials flag tens of thousands of voters for citizenship checks,” January 25, 2019
- ↑ The New York Times, “Federal Judge Halts ‘Ham-Handed’ Texas Voter Purge,” February 28, 2019
- ↑ The New York Times, “Texas Ends Review That Questioned Citizenship of Almost 100,000 Voters,” April 26, 2019
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, “Secretary Whitley Announces Settlement In Litigation On Voter Registration List Maintenance Activity,” April 26, 2019
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Texas Secretary of State, "Required Identification for Voting in Person," accessed February 27, 2023 Cite error: Invalid
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