BLINN RIDER REMOVED FROM STATE BUDGET

  

A controversial budget item impacting Blinn College was removed from the final budget this week. The measure, known as a "budget rider" was placed into the bill earlier this legislative session by Rep. John Raney (R-Bryan), in an attempt to apply proportionality of funding by campus, directing the Blinn College trustees on where state funds could be spent.

The decision to remove the Blinn rider was made by the powerful Budget Conference Committee, which includes Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) among its 10 members.

"While I understand the issues that have created the recent debate over Blinn funding, we must always work to ensure that the final funding decisions of each community college are made at a local level by the board of trustees,"  Kolkhorst said.  "The fact that Blinn is a successful and growing community college system lends itself to challenges and opportunities alike.  We are working to build bridges between the Brenham and Bryan campuses instead of burning them."