I decided to end this chapter of my journalism career much like it began -- as a conservative critic of higher education. That is why the previous post was on that topic.

 

This page will archive the past work of the Lone Star Foundation. You have found the blog. Also available is a free archive of most past issues of the weekly Lone Star Report newsletter -- available on this page in the "LSR Archive" tab. We also archived the last LSR issue on a separate page.

 

We put a lot of time and effort into producing this content, and we hope it's useful to researchers and other interested parties. The archive is being made available as a public service by the Hartman Foundation, but comments are disabled.

 

I do not intend to make any more policy or political posts to this space, other than perhaps informing the readership if LSR re-launches or its staff continue in other media outlets. There's not much more I can add in the way of thank yous and farewells that I haven't already said in my last column in our subscription newsletter (which I encourage you to read).

 

Those wishing to keep up with my writings, media appearances, and thoughts can subscribe to my twitter feed @willlutz. I also occasionally post at www.dallasblog.com.

 

Thank you for your readership and support of The Lone Star Report. Goodbye.

At today's hearing of the Joint Select Committee on Higher Education Governance, Transparency, and Efficiency, Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) repeated her assertion that Texas higher education is "neither broken nor corrupt."

 

That's her opinion, and she certainly has a right to it. Most higher education reformers would not claim the whole system is "corrupt." But in recent times, the tuition increases of 2003 provided the financial oxygen, allowing university administrators to emphasize research over teaching and keep costs high and faculty teaching loads low.

 

Having covered the Legislature in 2003, the process used to adopt tuition deregulation was clearly broken and perhaps worse. It did not pass because legislators wanted it; it passed because the Speaker of the House at the time abused his power on that issue.

 

For those practicing selective amnesia, here's a quick refresher course.