HB 1497 Threatens Perkins Funds for K-12

House Bill 1497 by Donna Howard (D - Austin) would eliminate $9 million in Perkins funding for Texas public schools. HB 1497 is scheduled for a hearing tomorrow. Contact state representatives serving on the committee today and tomorrow to advise them of the impact of funding cuts to your programs.

Currently, Texas appropriates 70% of federal Perkins dollars to public education and 30% to higher education. HB 1497 seeks to change the split to 60% public education and 40% higher education. A loss of $9 million for secondary CTE programs would exacerbate the financial crisis for Texas public schools and limit the ability for districts to maintain quality programs and meet state and federal accountability requirements.

House Higher Education Committee

* Dan Branch, Chair (Dallas) 512-463-0367
* Joaquin Castro, Vice Chair (Bexar) 512-463-0669
* Roberto Alonzo (Dallas) 512-463-0408
* Dennis H. Bonnen (Brazoria) 512-463-0564
* Fred H. Brown (Brazos) 512-463-0698
* Donna Howard (Travis) 512-463-0631
* Eric Johnson (Dallas) 512-463-0586
* Tryon D. Lewis (Andrews, Ector, Winkler) 512-463-0546
* Diane Patrick (Tarrant) 512-463-0624

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