Texas Senate approves revised $8.5 billion school finance legislation
Texas House Bill 2 (HB 2) Progresses Toward Historic $8.5 Billion Public School Funding
Austin, Texas — The Texas Senate advanced a remarkable $8.5 billion public school funding bill on Friday, moving the legislation one step closer to Governor Greg Abbott's desk. House Bill 2, which underwent substantial revisions since its initial passage in the Texas House in April, is slated to be one of the most significant education investments in the state's history.
The final version of HB 2 includes numerous significant components. Notably, $4.2 billion earmarked for teacher and staff pay raises, with experienced educators in smaller districts eligible for increases of up to $8,000. Approximately $2 billion is designated for overhauling special education, funding full-day pre-K, early learning interventions, and career and technical education. Furthermore, $430 million is set aside for school safety measures.
Initially, the Texas House proposed a $395 increase to the base amount of spending allocated per student, known as the basic allotment. The final version, however, trimmed this boost to just $55, marking the first increase to the state's basic allotment since 2019.
The bill's passage follows weeks of legislative negotiations, which drastically transformed the allocation of funding. On Thursday, the House and Senate reached a final agreement on HB 2.
Republican Rep. Brad Buckley of Salado, chair of the House Public Education Committee and author of the bill, stated, "This legislation provides the largest teacher pay raise in history, targeted funding for our special education students, investments in early childhood learning, and additional funding for our schools to address the rising fixed costs of operation."
The bill now returns to the House to address any amendments added by the Senate. If both chambers agree on the final version, it will proceed to Governor Greg Abbott's desk for his signature.
The bill aims to address long-standing funding gaps, support teacher retention, enhance special education services, and improve school safety across Texas. The legislation also prohibits uncertified teachers from being assigned to core curriculum classes and provides additional incentive pay and teacher training programs to further support professional development and retention. Special attention is given to rural teachers and support staff to alleviate unique financial pressures faced by smaller districts.
Sources:1. Texas House of Representatives – Office of the Chief Clerk2. Texas Senate – Media and Communications3. The Texas Tribune4. Dallas Morning News5. Houston Chronicle
- The historic $8.5 billion public school funding bill, House Bill 2, now advances to the Texas Senate, marking a critical juncture in Texas' politics and general-news, as education-and-self-development gains significant attention.
- The finalized bill, with its emphasis on teacher pay raises and enhancements for special education, full-day pre-K, early learning interventions, and career and technical education, demonstrates a commitment to learning and improvement in Texas' education system.
- The passage of HB 2, set to resolve long-standing funding gaps and support teacher retention, is a notable step in fostering a more robust and equitable educational environment across Texas, influencing the state's future and attracting both students and educators.
