Texas tees up $93.6 billion for Public Education
As a Texas House Appropriations Committee member, I'd like to inform you about the 88th Legislature's funding initiatives for Texas public schools. Our efforts aim to support educators and the 5.5 million students in our public education system. Below is a statewide overview, and I'm open to providing district-specific details.
For the fiscal years 2024 and 2025, public education funding amounts to over $93.6 billion. This includes a $30.3 billion increase in state General Revenue per the General Appropriations Act and Supplemental Appropriations Act. Of this, $12.6 billion targets reducing the maintenance and operations tax rate, and $5.4 billion enhances the homestead exemption. These allocations replace local tax revenue, elevating the state's share of education funding beyond 50% and cutting recapture by $5.5 billion.
An additional $12.39 billion is allocated to school districts through the following strategies:
$3.2 billion for projected enrollment growth.
$2.4 billion for the golden penny yield increase.
$1.4 billion for school safety, including $300 million for the school safety allotment and $1.1 billion in safety grants. A budget execution in 2022 added $400 million, totaling $1.8 billion for school safety.
$500 million state aid for the Foundation School Program, supporting approved instructional materials and open education resources.
$589 million to mitigate health insurance premium hikes for teachers in TRS ActiveCare.
$307 million for technology and instructional materials.
$60 million for the new Instructional Materials Allotment.
The remaining $4 billion in new state General Revenue will fund strategies decided by the Legislature, possibly in a special session this fall. This may include increased compensation for teachers, additional Teacher Incentive Allotment funding, raised Basic Allotment, augmented school safety funding, and enhanced Special Education funding.
Further, the Legislature passed measures to finally give a COLA to retired teachers and a 13th check for qualifying retired teachers age 70 and older:
$1.6 billion for a supplemental annuity payment ($13th check).
$3.4 billion for a cost of living adjustment (COLA).
During the pandemic, both the federal government and Texas Legislature contributed significantly. Over $19 billion was given to districts through Education Service Centers to address pandemic-related challenges.
Thank you for your efforts. Feel free to reach out with questions. I'm available for district-specific details and more on school safety grants.