ACC SGA voices concerns

The Texas Junior College Student Government Association hosted their second Community College Student Day on Thursday, Feb. 22 in an effort to make the Texas Legislature aware of the needs of junior colleges and community colleges statewide. TJCSGA President Damien Tovar of El Paso said the event is intended to, "make sure [students'] lawmakers are impressed with the role that community colleges play in our state's economy and economic development."

Just as they did at the last event, the students had a chance to see the House and Senate in session, hearing a resolution proclaiming the day Texas Community College Student Day. It was many of the students' fi rst time to witness fi rsthand the legislative process. After lunch, the students had an opportunity to meet with congressional representatives and staff to petition for issues that concerned them.

The Austin Community College Student Government was there in force lobbying on two issues in particular, House Bill 1890 and House Bill 960, which support the window for tax-free textbook sales for students and implement a minimum three academic year lifespan on textbooks, respectively. College students around the country are affected by the high price of textbooks. Often community college students suffer most since many students choose community colleges as a low cost alternative to some four-year state schools.

The ACC Student Government Association spoke directly to a few legislators about their concerns about how the legislature would have an effect on them. This included talkingwith Representatives Donna Howard, Valinda Bolton and Mark Strama. First time senator Kirk Watson, and former Austin mayor, also stopped to hear the group's concerns. Watson spoke with them the longest, talking with them for almost half an hour.

The group voiced their concern on a certain part in the governor's latest budget that would make college students who receive grants to maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete college in four years. If these requirements are not met then the student will have to payback any grants they received.

The ACC SGA also voiced their concern for HB 1890. The bill allows a tax break from the second Fridays in August and January to the following Sundays. However, ACC students enrolled in 12-week, 8-week and 5-week sessions may miss out on the tax-free window, as these classes begin after the designated dates. Senate Bill 49 is the sister bill to HB 1890.

In the meetings, legislative aides appeared to be concerned about the issues. No one denied that any of the student's concerns were important, but at the same time the fate of the notes that the aides scribbled down was unclear. One aide said that they have several groups like the ACC SGA come through each day, and that representatives are briefed on their concerns and it usually ends there.

SGA Senate Chair and Riverside Senator Ivan Doyle said, "[his goals] boiled down in the end to wanting to walk away with a bill passed for tax-free textbooks." The results of the event will be a good indication of whether small organizations can get things done by word of mouth without the fi repower to hire professional lobbyists to fulfi ll their needs. As of press time, SB 49 was still in committee.