The Texas House and Senate have reportedly reached an agreement on HB 2, the major public school funding bill. It will provide for $8.5 billion in additional funding for Texas public schools, including teacher pay raises.
A one-pager that circulated the Capitol on Wednesday (see PDF) outlines:
- $4.2 billion for teacher pay increases
- $500 million for raises for other non-administrative staff
- $1.3 billion for a new fixed cost allotment (can be used for health insurance premiums, TRS costs tied to teacher raises, utilities)
- $850 million for special education
- $677 million for early learning
- $430 million for school safety
- $300 million for the small/midsized schools allotment
- $200 million for charter facilities
- $153 million for CTE
- $135 million for teacher preparation
Funding that would otherwise go toward future golden penny yield increases will be redirected to provide a $55 increase to the basic allotment. HB 2 also ties the basic allotment to property value growth going forward.
See coverage by the Houston Chronicle.
The Senate must vote on the revised HB 2, attaching any floor amendments. If House members concur with the changes, the bill then goes to the governor.
This is the latest information we have on HB 2. We will send any updates via Capitol Watch Alert. The text of the bill and school district runs are not yet available.
