FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Texans for Tier One and Proposition 4
1. Who are Texans for Tier One?
Texans For Tier One is an organization campaigning for the passage of Proposition 4 on the November 3rd ballot. The group is headed by former Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby; University of Houston Board of Regents Chairman Welcome Wilson, Sr.; University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman James Huffines; Texas Tech University Board of Regents Chairman Larry Anders; and University of North Texas Board of Regents Chairman C. Dan Smith. Everyday more Texans are joining this statewide effort aimed at helping more of our universities become research powerhouses and serve as economic engines for our great state.
2. What is Proposition 4?
Proposition 4 is a constitutional amendment on the Tuesday, November 3rd ballot
“Establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund.”
3. What does that ballot language mean?
Voters are being asked to vote FOR a constitutional amendment to create a National Research University Fund (NRUF) to help seven emerging research universities in Texas including the University of Houston, Texas Tech, the University of Texas at Arlington, El Paso, Dallas, San Antonio and the University of North Texas, become nationally recognized research universities. I.e. “Tier One universities.”
4. Will new taxes be required by passage of Proposition 4?
No, additional taxes will not be required, but passage of Proposition 4 will, in time, produce billions in new local and state revenues, increased wages and more jobs for Texans.
5. What is a Tier One University?
“Tier one,” “top tier” and “nationally competitive research university” all mean the same thing: a university that competes for talent (faculty and students) and offers a product that has a national brand and recognition.
6. Don’t we have enough of these Tier One universities already?
No. Texas only has three including, UT Austin, Texas A&M and Rice University. California has 9, New York has 7 and Pennsylvania has 4. This low number of Tier One universities in Texas causes many of our best and brightest high school graduates to leave the Lone Star State for post-graduate degrees costing Texas an estimated $3.7 billion annually.
7. If Proposition 4 passes, why will it benefit the State of Texas?
Passage of Proposition 4 will help increase the number of nationally competitive research universities. Economists estimate that every $10 million in research expenditures creates 334 new jobs, adds $8.6 million to the regional economy and generates $13.5 million in local sales.
8. Why can’t state universities have access to the funds without the passage of Proposition 4?
It takes a constitutional amendment to convert the now dormant Higher Education Fund (HEF) to a National Research University Fund to which seven emerging Texas universities will have access once they meet certain national requirements.
9. Why does Proposition 4 have such a broad range of bi-partisan support?
Republican and Democratic leaders like Senator Dan Patrick and Senator Kirk Watson support Proposition 4 because they understand it will enhance our institutions of higher education and grow the Texas economy without raising new taxes.
10. What happens if Proposition 4 doesn’t pass? What is the next step?
If Proposition 4 does not pass, then progress for creating more Tier One universities in the state will be set back, perhaps for decades. This is particularly unfortunate since the coming demands associated with increases in Texas population and economic development require larger university systems with stronger academic credentials than are currently available.
11. What can Texas citizens do to help?
- Register to vote by Monday, October 5, 2009.
- Vote FOR Proposition 4 on the ballot on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.
- Better yet, vote early between Monday, October 19 & Friday, October 30, 2009.
- Contribute to the Texans For Tier One PAC.
Pol Ad Pd By Texans for Tier One PAC