Left to right: Jeff Moseley, President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership; State Rep. Dan Branch (Dist. 108-Dallas), Chairman, House Higher Education Committee; Welcome Wilson, Sr., Chairman, Board of Regents, University of Houston System; Francis Page, Publisher and Editor, Houston Style Magazine; Former Lt. Gov. William Hobby, Co-Chair, Texans for Tier One; and Margaret Justus, Texans for Tier One

The Greater Houston Partnership, in collaboration with Texans for Tier One, hosted a press conference discussing the business community’s support for Proposition 4 and its role in elevating the University of Houston to Tier One status. If passed, the referendum item will establish a national research university fund (NRUF) to help emerging research universities achieve national prominence as major research universities.

Jeff Moseley, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, was joined by Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby and Welcome Wilson, Chair of the Board of Regents for the University of Houston System, in encouraging the region’s voters to support Proposition 4 at the polls. Hobby and Wilson serve as co-chair and treasurer of Texans for Tier One, respectively. Also in attendance was Rep. Dan Branch (Dist. 108), Chairman of the House Higher Education Committee. Rep. Branch made this initiative one of his key priorities upon taking the helm of the committee. Rep. Scott Hochberg (Dist. 137), Chairman of the House Appropriates Subcommittee on Education, was also in attendance.

Moseley emphasized the economic benefits of being the home of the state’s next Tier One university and the role such a move would play in stemming the “brain drain” the region currently faces. “A healthy talent pool of skilled, well-trained workers is one of the most important variables corporations consider when looking at a relocation or expansion,” he said. “Imagine the increased competitive advantage we would enjoy if we could keep more of our talented students in the state and increase the number we attract from outside of Texas.” The state of Texas currently loses more than 10,000 high school students per year to doctoral granting universities outside of the state and attracts only 4,000. The rate of “brain drain” has increased by 54 percent over the last 6 years.

Former Lieutenant Governor Hobby discussed a recent report by Texas economist M. Ray Perryman entitled “State of Minds” which provides an analysis of the economic impact of dramatically increasing the number of Tier One universities in the state. According to Perryman’s findings, research spending offers a 226 percent return on investment when factoring in job growth and increased local sales.

A public service announcement featuring the Partnership’s Chairman, Daniel G. Bellow, also made its debut. The announcement emphasizes the importance of Proposition 4 to the future of economic development and job growth in the Houston region. It also highlights the fact the NRUF will be established without increased taxes.

Texas currently lags behind states of comparable population in the number of Tier One universities it hosts. While California has nine major research universities – six of which are public institutions – and New York has seven, the state of Texas with a population of 24 million only has three. This equals the number found in Virginia, state with an eighth of Texas’ population.

By voting for Proposition 4, Texas voters will establish a constitutionally dedicated fund available to the state’s seven emerging research universities meeting specific legislative standards. NRUF will provide steady funding similar to that which has elevated both Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin to Tier One status. Funds for NRUF will be transferred from an existing-but-dormant higher education account, thereby providing important support for these future research centers without new tax dollars or bonds.

Research is the principal, but certainly not the only, beneficiary of NRUF. Academic programs, student success and — in the long run — the value of a degree from a Tier One university, will all be enhanced. For Texas’ local and state economies, the benefits are even more tangible. 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.

The Texas Legislature has paved the way by unanimously placing this amendment to the Texas Constitution before state voters, and the Texans For Tier One PAC is leading the charge for statewide passage on Nov. 3, 2009.Texans For Tier One is headed by former Texas Lieutenant Governor and former University of Houston System Chancellor Bill Hobby; University of Houston Board of Regents Chairman Welcome Wilson, Sr.; University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman James Huffines; and Texas Tech University Board of Regents Chairman Larry Anders.

From now through November 3rd, the Texans For Tier One campaign will emphasize the importance of voting for Proposition 4 to create the National Research University Fund. When Texans vote for NRUF, they will be creating a major catalyst for the Texas economy and opening new doors for expanded excellence of Texas universities.

The seven emerging research universities, as designated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, are University of Houston; Texas Tech University; University of North Texas; and University of Texas at Arlington, Dallas, El Paso and San Antonio.

Log on to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcXDBEg_tzo to view the “Support Proposition 4” PSA clip.

For more information on Proposition 4 and Texans for Tier One, visit www.TexansForTierOne.com.