SB 1581, the fiscal matters bill which was also intended to address public education finance was brought up on the House floor tonight and had a point of order called on it. The point of order was sustained. The bill being killed with the point of order also took away one vehicle for school finance legislation.
Other options for school finance could be: find another vehicle for school finance legislation such as SB 1811; work on the legislation during a special session; or, with no passage of school finance legislation, the Texas Education Agency could allow proration to reduce appropriations in certain conditions.
Upon hearing of the bills demise over in the Senate chamber, Sen. Florence Shapiro called the situation “distressing” and asked Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst what he suggest. Dewhurst said SB 1811 could be a vehicle and shared Sen. Shapiro’s concern.