Governor Abbott called for a fourth special session of the 88th Legislature on Tuesday afternoon, the first time the state has held more than three special sessions in a single year. 

The session officially began at 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 7, and the Governor charged lawmakers with considering legislation on the following topics: 

• Establishment of education savings accounts (vouchers); 
• The "certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees;" 
• The public school finance system; 
• Special education in public schools; 
• Educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education; 
• Virtual education; 
• Public school accountability;
• School safety; 
• Illegal immigration; and
• Border security. 

As far as charges concerning education, this special session's charge is considerably broader than that of the original third special session declaration, and would seem to leave room for lawmakers to consider providing more funding for Texas public schools. However, the Governor's October 31 announcement would suggest that he only supports public school funding if the education savings account voucher program is approved first. 

The House's Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment has scheduled a public hearing for 9 a.m. Thursday, November 9, to hear public testimony on House Bill 1, an omnibus bill that would provide for a voucher program that provides families with an estimated $10,500 of taxpayer money per student choosing to enroll in a private or religious school, while also raising the basic public school allotment from $6,160 to $6,700. As a reminder, with the 17% inflation since the basic allotment was last raised in 2019, it would take an increase of at least $1,000 for schools to return to the same financial position they held four years ago. The bill would also provide full-time teachers, nurses, counselors, and librarians with a $4,000 bonus, with part-time employees in those roles entitled to a $2,000 bonus. After that first year bonus, pay increases would be paid through the proposed increase in basic allotment being adjusted for inflation. HB 1 also creates an accountability pause for 2022-23. 

As a reminder – now is the time to contact your elected representatives if you want to weigh in on your priorities as they relate to school funding.