Texas voters on Tuesday endorsed the creation of an $850 million endowment to support Texas State Technical College, the state’s primary higher education system focused on workforce training. The measure, listed on the ballot as Proposition 1, received broad approval during an election in which all 17 proposed constitutional amendments appeared likely to pass, according to preliminary results from the Texas Secretary of State.
Texas State Technical College operates 11 campuses across the state. Unlike community colleges, it does not have authority to levy taxes or issue bonds to finance major construction or maintenance projects. Supporters of the endowment described the funding as a way to address long-standing infrastructure needs and allow the institution to modernize facilities, update equipment, and potentially expand into areas of the state where demand for workforce training is growing.
The amendment followed heightened attention to workforce development at the Texas Capitol earlier this year. State leaders have pointed to a shortage of skilled labor in fields such as plumbing, welding, electrical work, and heating and air-conditioning services. Business groups have warned that gaps in labor supply could hinder economic growth if training capacity does not expand to meet employer needs.
Funds for the $850 million endowment will come from the state’s general revenue. Money will be placed into the newly created Texas Institution Infrastructure Fund, and a portion will flow into a Workforce Education Fund specifically designated for Texas State Technical College. College officials estimate that this structure will provide about $40 million per year in additional operational capacity.
Enrollment pressures have highlighted the college’s challenges. The institution reported that it had to turn away approximately 500 prospective students this fall because facilities could not accommodate them. More than two dozen programs had reached capacity, limiting the college’s ability to respond to market demand for specialized training.
State labor projections underscore the scale of the issue. Texas is estimating the need for thousands of additional skilled tradespeople by 2030, including electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. Workforce turnover due to retirements is expected to intensify competition for qualified workers in coming years.
Texas State Technical College operates under a performance-based funding model, receiving state dollars only when graduates secure employment in their field and generate economic value. The college also offers a form of tuition guarantee in which students who are unable to find work in their area of study within six months can recoup their tuition. While this structure links the college directly to workforce outcomes, advocates say it leaves the institution financially constrained when it needs to build new facilities or invest in long-term capital improvements.
Other higher education systems in Texas have turned to local bond elections to support campus growth. Community college districts in major metropolitan areas have secured several large bond packages in recent years, providing funding flexibility that Texas State Technical College does not have due to its statewide structure and lack of taxing authority. As a result, the technical college has depended on periodic appropriations from state lawmakers, making planning for large-scale expansion unpredictable.
The vote on Tuesday marked the second attempt by lawmakers to pursue a constitutional amendment for the college. A similar effort in 2023 did not advance, and the associated budget funding was later vetoed. This year, lawmakers returned to the proposal with renewed attention to workforce needs and aging infrastructure at training campuses.
With voter approval secured, state agencies will begin implementing the endowment structure and preparing funding distributions. College officials have indicated that immediate priorities will include repairing aging buildings, updating classroom and workshop technology, and increasing space for programs experiencing high enrollment demand.
