By J. Lyn Carl, GalleryWatch.com
Austin, TX –
Call it "The Little Education Reform Bill That Could."
Well, if you're Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) or Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, you might call it that.
But if you're House Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland), you might call it "The Little Education Reform Bill That WON'T" - as in WON'T pass in the House.
Craddick announced today that SB 8, Shapiro's public school reform bill that passed out of the Senate Tuesday, has no meaningful reforms and has either watered down or eliminated many of the reforms approved by the Texas House education reform bills passed in both the 79th Regular Session and the First Called Session.
That being said, Craddick earlier today promised whomever would listen that, "Any school reform bill that passes the Texas House will contain real reforms."
Shapiro said she is "extremely disappointed" and turned the tables on Craddick's statement that her bill "lacks meaningful reforms." Shapiro said HB 62 passed by the House Tuesday has "no reforms."
It may not have any reforms, but Craddick notes that it will ensure that textbooks will arrive in Texas public schools in time for the fall term.
"It is my hope that the Senate will quickly pass HB 62 so students are able to start the school year with the most updated textbooks available," said Craddick. "Providing the necessary materials for Texas' students and teachers is a top priority for us." Shapiro thinks the public school reforms in her SB 8 should be top priority and said that until the House and Senate agree to adjourn, which some are speculating could be as early next week, she will continue to "fight for overall reform in addition to funding textbooks and a deserved teacher pay raise. That is what I was elected to do, and, as I see it, that is the only option before me."
Dewhurst again called on the House to continue efforts toward passage of public school reform and property tax relief bills. He agreed with Shapiro that HB 62 had no reforms. "If the House wants to add something to the education bill the Senate passed last night, amend our SB 8 and it send it back to us, but don't throw up your hands and quit. The people of Texas elected legislators to represent them and vote to improve the quality of life here in Texas. We must fulfill our duty and commitment to the people who elected us."
Noting there are still nine days left in the Second Called Session, Dewhurst urged the legislature to "use every hour of this time to continue working toward a better school system that we can all be proud of in Texas. We owe a finished product to the people who elected us to represent them."
Shapiro said reforms in her bill include more financial and academic accountability, property tax relief, and dedication of 65 percent of all resources into the classroom. "It also updates formulas that have not been adjusted in more than 14 years, including the cost of education index, transportation allotment and bilingual education funding," she said. The Plano Republican said her bill also provides assistance to failing schools and reduces recapture under the Robin Hood system by more than 61 percent, or $921 million per year.
In the meantime, as the feud between the House Hatfields and the Senate McCoys continues, Gov. Rick Perry today sent a letter to Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley for the Texas Education Agency to begin processing orders so textbooks can be shipped as soon as possible to Texas classrooms.
Perry said he is hopeful that legislation approving textbook funding will pass during the current special session, but told Neeley, "Should textbook legislation not reach my desk, I am committed to seeking a budget execution order to fund textbooks at a total amount not to exceed $295 million."