-
Lawmakers this year didn’t approve extra money to help schools pay for raises despite having an unprecedented $32 billion surplus — even after Gov. Greg Abbott commissioned a task force last year to improve teacher pay and retention.
-
Despite the Senate moving its plan forward Wednesday, the measure seems destined for deadlock. A Texas House panel also passed its proposal to cut property taxes — which is significantly different from the Senate’s.
-
State lawmakers vowed to do right by teachers during the 88th legislative session, as tens of thousands of educators have left the field in recent years. But the bills that still have a chance of passing only include modest raises that may not keep teachers in the classroom.
-
Education leaders across Texas say the state's schools are underfunded by $7 billion.
-
Under House Bill 1, the chamber’s spending plan, $5 billion would be allocated to increase funding for public and charter schools. That would raise the basic allotment by $50, to $6,210.
-
The proposal recommends spending billions on programs including property tax cuts, teacher pay raises, mental health services and border security. It leaves out requests for pay raises for retired state employees and funding for rent relief and childcare programs.
-
Our experts share what you need to know about this action and answer your questions and concerns.
-
The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and burnout have pummeled teachers in the last few years. Lawmakers from both parties agree they should get a pay bump — but it won’t happen without some negotiation.
-
As legislators begin to debate their public education priorities, the Charles Butt Foundation released a poll Tuesday showing Texans are mostly supportive of their public schools but are split on voucher-like programs.
-
State Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, said his bill would be the largest salary increase for teachers in the state’s history. “That's the kind of bold action this moment requires. And we can do this,” Talarico said.
-
Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat from Round Rock, is planning to file a bill related to education funding.
-
Community colleges want a funding overhaul this legislative session, and four-year universities are hoping for a boost in research funds. Meanwhile, faculty are bracing for a potential threat to tenure and limits to conversations about race.