On Friday, November 17, the Texas House of Representatives considered House Bill 1, which would have created an education savings account (voucher) program and provided additional funding for public schools.

After debating, the House voted 84-63 to approve an amendment to strip all voucher language from HB 1. The bill was then sent back to the House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment; however, Committee Chair Brad Buckley indicated that he has no intention of having another hearing on the bill. 

The House did pass two school safety bills on Friday – HB 2 and HJR 1. HB 2 would repeal the School Safety Allotment and establish two grant programs – the School Safety Grant Program and the School Safety Plan Implementation Grant Program. The bill calls for transfers from a newly created State School Safety Fund, not to exceed $1.1 billion per year. The legislation could only go into effect if passed by the legislature and HJR 1 is passed by voters in a constitutional amendment election. HJR 1 calls for a constitutional amendment to be voted on by Texas voters that would create the State School Safety Fund to provide ongoing financial support for school safety projects in public schools. Those bills now both head to the Senate for consideration. 

With HB 1 appearing to be dead, SB 2 is the only other school funding bill currently being considered. It has been referred to the House Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Select Committee, but at this time, there is no hearing scheduled for the bill. 

While the legislature seems resistant to provide any funding to public schools without passing voucher legislation, Keller ISD still encourages all stakeholders to reach out to their elected officials and ask them to make public school funding a priority. Visit SaveKellerISD.net to fill out a brief form that will contact your representatives.