Joe’s Commentary: December 11 Meeting of Texas Commission on Public School Finance

posted on December 12 - 09:00 AM
By Josh - TexasISD.com
 

I watched the Texas Commission on Public School Finance - yes, the entire 6 hours - and have marked my calendar for the next meeting, December 19 at 10 a.m.If you wish to participate in the upcoming legislative debate on school funding this is the place to start. Remember, the last

legislative session created the commission to find solutions to our state’s badly broken school funding system.  

The commission has spent the past year examining our current experience funding Texas Public Schools. The discussions often appeared awkward because property taxes were discussed as well and at times it was difficult to determine the driving force - property taxes or school finance.

Many hours of testimony were heard that included handouts of charts and tables. Yesterday’s meeting included reviewing the commission’s 29 recommendations to the legislature.  Chairman Brister took a cautious attitude, often redirecting the group when it strayed away from what he saw as its purpose or something that would cause legal problems going forward.  The governor’s plan, not a part of the commission’s recommendations, would cap property taxes at 2.5 percent per year.

This meeting was the first review of the draft report - The final vote is expected on the 19th. - js - webmaster@texasisd.com