Patrick to colleges: Hold line on staff growth - Mike Ward, Houston Chronicle

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday warned Texas' public colleges and universities that he intends to block any plans they have to increase their staffing levels will be blocked, his latest salvo against rising costs at institutions of higher education. At a conference last month, Patrick had criticized high salaries and bonuses at come colleges and universities. "I am advising you that I am not approving any higher education requests to increase (full time employee) authorizations (staff) for fiscal year 2017," Patrick saidin a letter to college and university officials. "Any requested increases should be presented to budget writers of the Texas Legislature." Previously, institutions of higher education have been allowed to add employees during the interim between legislative sessions. Patrick said that policy "has resulted in thousands of employees added to the state budget without legislative scrutiny," he said. http://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/Patrick-to-colleges-Hold-line-on-staff-growth-10001715.php