AUSTIN- Wednesday, Representative-Elect Brooks Landgraf pre-filed two bills aimed at furthering the opportunity for higher education institutions in West Texas. House Bill 626 and House Bill 625, would finance the construction of necessary buildings at both the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin and the University of Texas Permian Basin.
“Higher education is of vital importance to our region and both the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and University of Texas Permian Basin offer incredible opportunities for our community,” Representative-Elect Landgraf said upon the filing of this landmark legislation.
House Bill 626 authorizes the issuance of $45 million in tuition revenue bonds to fund an engineering building at UTPB. House Bill 625 authorizes the issuance of $17.8 million in tuition revenue bonds to fund construction of a medical education building for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin.
“These projects are fundamental to UTPB and TTUHSC, and their ability to educate the next generation of Texas engineers, physicians and other health care providers,” Representative-Elect Landgraf stated.
Representative-Elect Landgraf will work to pass these two measures in the 84th Legislative Session – which begins January 13, 2015 and concludes June 1, 2015.
“I will work diligently with members of the Legislature to pass these measures and will continue my collaboration with the dedicated leaders at both institutions to propel West Texas into the next echelon in higher education,” Representative-Elect Landgraf said.
Representative-Elect Brooks Landgraf was elected in 2014 to serve as the State Representative for District 81, which encompasses Andrews, Ector, Ward and Winker Counties. Landgraf resides in Odessa with his wife Shelby and works as an attorney and rancher. He serves on the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance board of directors, the Education Foundation board of directors and the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute advisory council.