Public Education Committee Chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, announced today the House will tackle school finance issues this session. Rep. Aycock made his announcement during a press conference this morning surrounded by bi-partisan support from Republican and Democratic members representing Chapter 41&42, urban, and rural districts. Appropriations Committee Chair John Otto, R-Dayton, said in addition to the $2.2 billion already appropriated in HB 1 to public education, he will propose allocating an additional $800 million to make public education more equitable and to reduce the effects of the state's "Robin Hood" tax system – totaling $3 billion to improve public education finance.
Rep. Aycock said the decision came down to fundamental question of whether the legislature should do what's right for Texas kids or sit around trying to outguess lawyers.
Rep. Otto will be proposing a rider to go into Article XI when the House budget bill comes to the floor next week that will add the $800 million. HB 1759 is currently a shell bill that will be the vehicle to carry the school finance reform language.
During the press conference Rep. Aycock said the bill will improve equity distribution, address the ASATR cliff, soften recapture and address transportation funding among other things. The goal this session is to “make significant strides in reforming education finance,” Aycock said.
The press conference has been archived and is available for viewing.