By Texas Lt. Governor's Office
Austin, TX – Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst announced today the appointment of 12 Senators who will serve on two Joint Working Groups on School Finance Reform. Six Senators will join six House Members on the Education Excellence Working Group and six Senators will serve with six House Members on the Finance Reform Working Group.
The Senators on the Education Excellence Working Group are: Senator Florence Shapiro (R- Plano), Senator Robert L. Duncan (R- Lubbock), Senator Todd Staples (R- Palestine), Senator Royce West (D-Dallas), Senator Jane Nelson (R- Lewisville), and Senator Frank L. Madla (D-San Antonio). The Senators on the Finance Reform Working Group are: Senator Steve Ogden (R- Bryan), Senator Ken L. Armbrister (D- Victoria), Senator Kyle Janek (R-Houston), Senator Kim Brimer (R-Fort Worth), Senator Tommy Williams (R- The Woodlands), and Senator Gonzalo Barrientos (D-Austin).
Senator Ogden will serve as an Ex-Officio member to the Education Excellence Working Group and Senator Shapiro will serve as an Ex-Officio member to the Finance Reform Working Group.
"I'm pleased to announce the appointment of these excellent Senators to the Education Excellence and Finance Reform Working Groups," said Lt. Governor Dewhurst. "I urge the Members to start meeting as soon as possible in order to reach a consensus in a timely manner. I am confident that with the Senate and House Members' legislative experience and their genuine concern for public education they will work together and reach a consensus on school finance reform."
"We will continue to actively work on school finance reform and remain committed to a plan that dramatically cuts property taxes, ends Robin Hood as we know it, maintains equity, creates more local funding capacity for each school district, protects local control, provides new resources, and maintains a fair and level playing field for all Texas businesses," Lt. Governor Dewhurst added.
The Education Excellence and School Finance Reform Working Groups were established by Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick with the objective of reaching a consensus on school finance reform.