HB 2209 by Lozano: Creation of a Grant Program

HB 2209 seeks to create the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program to incentivize and support rural college and career pathway partnerships for underserved students while promoting rural economic development. Further collectivizing the cost of individual choices on the part of Texans who choose to reside in certain areas of the state burdens taxpayers who did not make that same choice. HB 2209 is estimated to have a negative fiscal impact on Texas taxpayers of almost $55.5 million through the biennium and a potentially growing burden every year thereafter. For these reasons, TFR opposes HB 2209.