The Texas House approved $8.5 billion in funding for public schools across the state, sending the bill to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for signage into law.
The final passage of House Bill 2 comes after years of stagnant funding for education establishments in the state. The fund would give schools more money to use for salaries of teachers and other staff, educator preparation, special education, safety requirements, and early childhood learning.
Texas' $8.5 Billion Public School Funding
The development comes on the heels of extensive negotiations between House and Senate lawmakers about how the bill's final version would look like. The Texas governor said he already plans to sign the bill once it reaches his desk.
Abbott's statement about the bill is in contrast to two years ago when he and the Legislature decided to withhold billions of funding from public schools. This was after they had a failed attempt to create a private school voucher program, according to the Texas Tribune.
On the other hand, lawmakers this year committed to approving vouchers and new public school funding at the same time. In a 122-13 vote, the state Legislature finalized the education finance package, nearly a month after vouchers officially became law.
The money given by the new bill would allow school districts to start addressing some of their longstanding challenges. These include issues like budget deficits, insufficient salaries for employees, and rising operational costs.
About half of the $8.5 billion fund will go to raising the salaries of the majority of teachers and non-administrative staff. Republican lawmakers say that the package represents the largest single increase in public school funding in the history of the state, CBS News reported.
Addressing Yearslong Issues
Another $500 million will be used by school districts to raise the salaries of entry-level teachers and other non-administrative staff. The bill also includes language talking about a significant overhaul of the state's special education programs. It aims to improve services and support for students who have disabilities.
Before the package was passed on Thursday, Rep. James Talarico asked about the bill. He highlighted that public schools have been in a dire situation that is a result of stagnant funding since 2019.
He worked to have Republican Rep. Brad Buckley, the sponsor of the bill, answer why the GOP-led Legislature did not pass major school funding between then and now. Buckley's reply focused on the new bill's investments in the basic costs of running schools and giving teachers the salaries they deserve, as per CBS Austin.
