82nd Legislature Update

Both the House and Senate released their proposed state budgets which cut over $4 billion/year to the Foundation School Program for the 2012-2013 biennium. There is insufficient revenue to replace the federal stimulus funds, to cover the expected enrollment growth, and offset expected reduction in school district property values.

Additionally, both budgets propose almost universal elimination of all discretionary grant programs, including the Student Success Initiative, the Technology Allotment, PreK Early Start Grant, Texas High School Completion and Success Initiative, D.A.T.E., Texas Virtual School Network, Teach for America, and many others. In the Senate version of HB 1, however, TEA will receive $400 million in discretionary grant money (i.e. Rider 53) which must be used to improve public education.
 

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