In a decisive move for educational equity, the Harris County Commissioners Court, led by the committed Commissioner Rodney Ellis, sanctioned a pivotal resolution on Tuesday. This mandate urges the State of Texas to eradicate the existing financial inequities plaguing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and institutions primarily serving Latino students.

The call-to-action mandates Governor Greg Abbott to prioritize Prairie View A&M University's funding in the Legislature’s ongoing special session.

This directive aligns with the Biden Administration's alert regarding Texas's substantial financial shortfall, exceeding $1.1 billion, to this eminent land-grant university. Moreover, the resolution implores a comprehensive evaluation of the funding structures at public HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions, aiming to dismantle any remnants of biased financial distribution.

Commissioner Ellis passionately remarked, "Our resolution is a stand against the persistent oversight and potential racially biased financial strategies affecting our HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions.

It's crucial to acknowledge the financial imbalances at other educational pillars like Texas Southern University and possibly at the University of Houston-Downtown."

The statistical decline in funding since 2009 is alarming, with Prairie View experiencing a 5% drop, Texas Southern University a 14.6% reduction, and University of Houston-Downtown a 15% decrease.

This trend signals a possible breach of Texas's commitment under an agreement to correct historical segregation in educational funding.

Rewinding to 2001, the Texas Legislature, backed by the governor, allocated an additional $50 million to Prairie View and TSU to eradicate historical prejudice. Nevertheless, the financial support has remained unchanged since the 2010-2011 biennium, while funding for flagship universities has surged significantly.

Emphasizing the critical financial plight of HBCUs, Commissioner Ellis's resolution demands prompt and decisive ac- tion from Texas's leadership. The resolution highlights a worrisome trend in state fund- ing, which adversely affects the educational services provided by esteemed institutions like Prairie View, Texas Southern, and the University of Houston-Downtown.

Commissioner Ellis's advocacy re- affirms Harris County's commitment to equity and justice in higher education, echoing the aspirations of students and communities striving for a fair academic landscape.