“I never anticipated that I would take a summer job at Wendy’s just so that I could replace a broken dishwasher,” said one high school English teacher who makes $45,000 per year.
school finance
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Texas lawmakers haven’t sworn off culture wars after all
The Texas Legislature is trying to focus on school finance and property taxes. But flashier, more divisive political fights beckon.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Property tax relief — but not for all Texas taxpayers
Giving every property owner in Texas a significant tax cut is expensive, but there are less ambitious plans under consideration along with the big ones.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Senate advances bill to shore up teacher pension fund
The bill would increase state, school district and teacher contributions to the fund, and provide a one-time additional check for retirees.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Texas lawmakers will obviously need a special session, right? Only if they screw things up.
Halfway through the session, the Capitol’s hallways are full of talk of a special session on school finance and property taxes. That won’t happen — unless the Legislature makes a mess of the time it’s got left.
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Public Education
Texas House panel advances school finance bill but removes merit pay provision
The $9 billion bill has more than 100 co-sponsors in the House but will need to be reconciled with Senate proposals.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Asking Texas voters to swap higher sales taxes for property tax cuts
Texas voters told candidates they want property tax relief, and it’s remarkably expensive. That’s why state lawmakers are talking about higher sales taxes.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Senate unveils its first version of a school finance reform bill
The bill is part of a series of proposals designed to slow property tax growth and fix how the state pays for its schools.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
TribCast: Is the “Kumbaya” phase of the legislative session over?
On this week’s TribCast, Aman talks to Evan, Aliyya and Alexa about the teacher pay and school finance proposals circulating in the Texas Lege, the latest finger-pointing over the voter citizenship review and the pushback Beto O’Rourke might face in a Democratic presidential field.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas teacher pay emerges as a sticking point between House and Senate
The Senate is proposing $5,000 raises for each teacher and librarian. The House is calling for raising minimum salaries and increasing benefits.
