University of Texas President Bill Powers (second from left) and Texas A&M interim President Mark Hussey (third from left) were joined by Sen. Judith Zaffirini (center) and other supporters on Feb. 4 to ask the Texas legislature for more funding.[/caption]

Longhorn and Aggie loyalists set aside their school rivalry Feb. 4 to encourage legislators in the Texas House and Senate for more state funding.

Orange and Maroon Day has become a tradition at the Capitol, with the first multi-school lobbying event held in 2003 during which university representatives, alumni and students from The University of Texas and Texas A&M University came together to present their priorities to the Texas legislature.

The focus this year is on providing both school systems with more money. In 2011 state funds for UT were reduced by $96 million, President Bill Powers said. The goal this legislative sesion, he said, is to get those funds back so tuition rates and faculty pay remain competitive.

"A substantial way back [to that $96 million] is what we need," Powers said. "Maybe not the whole thing but a substantial amount is needed. It can be done over a long period of time, we just need to get going in the right direction."

Texas A&M interim President Mark Hussey said that any help the state can provide with funding is greatly appreciated.

For every $1 the state spends on UT, $18 is put back into the state economy, Powers said.

District 21 state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, joined the university presidents to support their mission to receive more state financial support. She urged alumni of both institutions to reach out to every state elected official and express the importance of increased university funding.

"I get so sick and tired, quite frankly, when people complain that higher education costs are too high. Why are they too high? Because they're not funded appropriately," Zaffirini said. "We can make higher education more affordable by funding it accurately."