(NDG Wire) State Representative Carol Kent is recommending that Texans cast their vote in favor of an amendment to the Texas Constitution that aims to transform several Texas universities into Tier One institutions.
The amendment, which appears on the ballot as Proposition Four, is the result of one of eleven resolutions passed by the 81st Texas Legislature calling for amendments to the state’s constitution. These proposed amendments require the approval of Texas voters, and will appear on the ballot as propositions in the upcoming November 3 election.
“We North Texans have been working toward having a Tier One university in our neighborhood for several years,” said Kent. “The placement of Proposition 4 on the ballot by the Legislature goes a long way toward finally achieving this goal, and I urge my fellow Texans to support it.”
Proposition Four, if passed, will establish the Texas National Research University Fund. The creation of the fund, which would result in no new taxes, would enable emerging state research universities in Texas to achieve national prominence as major research universities.
The Legislature has selected seven emerging research universities to be eligible to benefit from the Texas National Research University Fund. These include Texas Tech University, the University of Houston, the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Texas at El Paso, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the University of Texas at Dallas.
The University of Texas at Dallas, which is located just outside of Rep. Kent’s district, is led by Dr. David E. Daniel.
“Research would be the first aspect of these universities to benefit from this new resource, but in the long run, academic programs, student success and the value of degrees from these universities will be enhanced,” said Daniel. “UT Dallas’ ongoing quest to reach Tier One — underway long before the proposition was placed on the ballot — has attracted extraordinary faculty from outstanding institutions such as Rutgers, Illinois, Columbia and others. Students benefit from studying with such excellent faculty.”
The initiative will also create significant economic value. Recently, the Perryman Group issued a report that estimates $161.1 billion in increases in business activity and 344,393 permanent jobs with only the addition of two Tier One universities by 2035. According to the report, every $1 committed to these two potential Tier One universities would result in a gain of $17.25 for the state.
“If Texans across the state vote for Proposition Four, they will be doing their state and their local communities a great service,” said Kent.
