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Update on Texas House Budget Debate

The Texas House is scheduled to begin the budget debate on April 1. Over 375 amendments have been pre-filed for consideration during what could be a multi-day event. Education is facing a reduction in state spending of between $4 billion and $10 billion representing 10 to 24 percent in cuts.

The Senate version of HB 1 includes the following:

  • Adds $5.3 billion to the Foundation School Program representing a $4 billion cut from current formulas;
  • Adds $389 million to fund Proclamation 2011, excluding prekindergarten materials;
  • Adds $194 million for student success initiatives -- $104 million directly to districts for prevention and intervention activities, $90 million set aside for specific programs (algebra readiness, literacy academies, math academies, and middle grades initiatives) aimed at improving student performance on state assessments;
  • Adds $9 million for the virtual school network, of which $8 million is for operating expenses and $1 million is start-up funding for virtual high schools; and
  • Adds $125 million for the District Awards for Teacher Excellence (Date) Program.

The House version of HB 1 includes the following:

  • Includes $2 billion more than the House version for the Foundation School Program, contingent on the passage of HB 275, which uses $3.2 billion of the Rainy Day Fund to close out the current biennium's budget representing a $7 billion cut from current formulas;
  • Includes $10 million for Communities in Schools;
  • Includes $2.5 million for the Amachi Program;
  • Includes $1.5 million for the Texas Academic Innovation and Mentoring (AIM) Program; and
  • Includes $3 million for Teach for America.

The committee also adopted a rider contingent on the passage of HB 6 that would add a yet-to-be-determined amount of funding for instructional materials. These recommendations represent all of the proposed changes for public education in the budget bill for the 2012-13 biennium as it goes to the full House for debate.

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