This report outlines updated available revenue and spending limits for the 88th Legislature, Third Called Session, ahead of impending floor debate and potential state spending. Read the printable version of the report here. Available Revenue The Comptroller’s Certified Revenue Estimate (CRE)…
Funding Schools, Not Vouchers, is the key to Student Success
With a $32 billion surplus going into the 88th Texas Legislature, most educators and legislators saw the session as a long-overdue opportunity to make a genuine investment in our 5.4 million Texas public school students. The House had a chance…
The Property Tax Deal Explained: A Recap of the 88th Second Special Session
A deal on property tax relief was reached during the second special session with two bills and a joint resolution signed into law by Gov. Abbott on August 9th. This report offers a closer look at the bills passed and…
88th First Special Session Recap
For the Texas House, the special session concluded the day it began, with three bills passed by the House. The Senate adjourned Sie Die yesterday, June 27th, with five bills passed by the Senate. In the end, none of the…
Recap of the 88th Regular Legislative Session
Introduction The 88th Legislative Session kicked off with a $32.7 billion surplus. This afforded state legislators the opportunity to go beyond the status quo and meaningfully address critical issues, such as our state’s foster care system, mass shootings, healthcare access,…
Texas Law & School District Takeovers
What does Texas law say about school takeovers? Current law allows for state intervention in schools that do not meet predetermined accountability standards. The most extreme outcome of these interventions is a state takeover in which the education commissioner is…
The Privatization of Education
Is “School Choice” Code for Education Privatization? Gov. Abbott and conservative political operatives have been touting this abstract idea of “school choice.” But what do they mean? Texas parents have many options when it comes to educating their children —…
State Employee Workforce and its Impact on Texas Families
Many state agencies face an ongoing staffing crisis. High turnover rates and a lack of consistent expertise within agencies ultimately inhibit access to services many Texans rely on and harm Texas families. The most recent report from the State Auditor’s…
LSG Policy Report on the House Introduced Budget
Budget Overview All Funds appropriations for the House proposed 2024-25 budget (HB 1) total $288.7 billion. This is an 8.3% increase from what was allocated in the 2022-23 General Appropriations Act, but a 2.9% net decrease from what was actually…