The Texas House Committee on Public Education is considering a bill this week that would increase funding for public schools.
House Bill 2, filed by Republican Education Committee Chair Rep. Brad Buckley of Salado, would increase the base amount that schools receive from the state per student each school year by $220. This would take the basic allotment from $6,160 per pupil to $6,380. Schools receive additional funds for students who fit certain criteria, such as having a disability or being an English language-learner.
Blaise Gainey, who covers the statehouse for the Texas Newsroom, said the hearing will likely include debate from lawmakers and public comment on different sides of the issue.
“I think everybody wants more funding for public schools in this situation, but exactly how that funding is doled out is one thing that has separated a couple of people,” he said. “The House plan would make increases to the base amount that the school receives per student, while also increasing some pay for teachers as well.”
The committee is taking up this bill before turning to school vouchers, which already passed in the Senate earlier in the session. Gainey said it’s likely Buckley who made that call.
“This is a bill that I think most people are behind when it passes through. I wouldn’t be surprised if it passes unanimously,” Gainey said. “School choice is one that’s more contentious. It will likely not pass unanimously. And it’s obviously never passed the House before. And so maybe (he was) just getting something that’s a little easier for people to swallow in on the first try.”
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The Senate also already passed their version of a school funding increase, Gainey said.
“Their bill actually looks more towards teacher pay raises,” he said. “If teachers have more than three years of experience, they’ll get an increase in their salary. Those between three and four years of experience with students in districts with 5,000 or fewer students would receive $5,000 more dollars than they make now… But all teachers with the experience will receive a pay raise under the Senate’s bill.”
In order for a school funding increase to make it to the governor’s desk this session, lawmakers in the Senate and the House will likely have to agree on how to compromise between these two different visions of increasing school funding, Gainey said.
Gainey said he’s also looking at some education-related bills in the Senate this week.
“There are some interesting bills in a State Affairs Committee that have to do with public school employees’ use of terms consistent with biological sex, and also protecting religious speech or prayer while at public schools,” he said.
“Those will be interesting. I believe these have been bills they’ve tried to pass previously in previous sessions. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not the Senate will be able to get something like this passed.”
