![]() It’s a remarkable task and not everyone can balance that many different things, but she does it extraordinarily well.” She knows our budget as well as anyone at the university-and she knows what articles our items are in and what laws govern each item. That means doors get opened for meetings and it also means that she’s presenting accurate information. “She knows everyone around the capitol and always puts the university’s best face forward everywhere she goes-and that’s a really big help around here. “We are so lucky to have Lauren,” says Raimer. The two have adjoining offices and have forged a close working relationship since then. As senior vice president for Health Policy and Legislative Affairs at UTMB, he first hired Sheer to be a legislative coordinator nearly a decade ago. It’s crammed with people, so Sheer scouts out an empty table as Raimer takes the opportunity to highlight the vital role Sheer fills. Ben Raimer for lunch in the capitol cafeteria. When the meeting adjourns, we meet up with Dr. But where it will end up, we won’t know until the end of session-and that’s the hard part for everyone back at UTMB who is trying to plan for the upcoming fiscal year.” What the House and Senate eventually agree upon and send to the governor for his signature will look different from what has just been introduced. “It’s important to remember that it’s still very early in the process,” says Sheer. It lists vital programs such as the planned Biocontainment Critical Care Unit that would be impacted if funds were not restored. Sheer pulls out a handout she created with funding priorities to discuss with legislators. If fully enacted, it would cut $42.9 million in funding for UTMB over the biennium. She points specifically to the Senate’s budget proposal for FY18 and 19, which essentially eliminates all “Special Items”-that’s a budget bill category that contains funding for specific and unique programs at higher education institutions. We want them to have all the information they need to make decisions and ensure that they know what our programs do and how important they are to the university’s mission.” “So we’ve taken a look at what each legislative body has done, learned what the differences are and have put together materials to go around and meet with members to discuss the impact of proposed reductions. “This session, the House and Senate proposed budgets are fairly far apart,” she says. Sheer explains that the House and Senate recently released their proposed appropriations bills. The chair is expected to announce subcommittees that will take a “deep dive” into specific portions of the budget, such as health care, criminal justice and education. Sheer points out a few committee members who are also UTMB alumni before we head to the House Appropriations Committee meeting. I also collaborate with UT System on bills, because other health-related institutions often share similar concerns.” “I’ve been working with some of our research staff as well as our legal department to get feedback on the bill. “I send bills like this one to our faculty, staff and administrators, who can take a look at it and let me know what the implications would be for UTMB-it’s very helpful,” she says as we take a seat in the public gallery overlooking the meeting. A Senate committee has just introduced proposed legislation dealing with research, and Sheer wants to hear the discussion. She quickly brings me up to speed on a few bills her office is tracking as we walk underneath the impressive 300-foot-tall dome in the capitol rotunda, on our way to the Senate chambers. Sheer and the small team in UTMB’s Health Policy and Legislative Affairs office monitor them all for potential impacts. ![]() Although the state budget is the only bill the legislature is constitutionally required to pass each session, thousands of additional bills are usually filed for consideration. Texas’ 85th legislative session began in January and is limited to 140 days however, the governor may call additional special sessions if needed. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” says Lauren, as I meet up with her mid-week in February. As Assistant Vice President of Legislative Affairs, she’s on her feet constantly during Texas’ biennial legislative sessions, advocating on behalf of UTMB regarding various topics-from funding priorities to proposed legislation that could impact the institution. Wearing comfortable shoes should be a job requirement for Lauren Sheer.įor the last 10 years, Sheer has helped bring UTMB’s voice to Austin-walking, and sometimes running, back and forth between her office on Congress Avenue and the capitol building. ![]()
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