House Bill 4 which was passed to engrossment on March 31 has the following impacts on education according to a recent Moak Casey publication:
Reduces appropriations from the general revenue fund for the current 2010-11 biennium by $1.13 billion. The Texas Education Agency is required to identify $90.2 million in general revenue, revenue reductions the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker requested prior to the legislative session. HB 4, however, then appropriates $600 million to the Foundation School Program to fulfill current law payment requirements for the 2010-11 biennium due to student enrollment increases and property value decline. HB 4 also allocates $85 million for the purpose of funding continuing contracts for instructional materials scheduled to enter classrooms for the 2011-12 school year.
