Austin American Statesman: “The Measure Would Make Sweeping Reforms To The Way The State’s Public Schools Are Financed.” “The measure would make sweeping reforms to the way the state’s public schools are financed, through updating and eliminating elements of the formulas, directing more money toward educating low-income students, giving teachers raises and curbing the growth of property taxes that school districts levy.” (Austin American-Statesman, 5/23/19)
San Antonio Express News: “Followed Through On Promises.” “Abbott emphasized that he and the Legislature have followed through on promises the three Republican leaders made in January.” (San Antonio Express News, 5/23/19)
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings: “Texas Should Be Proud Of What HB3 Represents For All Of Our Kids.” “I’ve spent the past eight years as mayor of Dallas doing all that I could to support the innovation within Dallas ISD. It’s gratifying to see many of their bold reforms incorporated into the overhaul of Texas’ school finance system. As we’ve seen in Dallas, strategically investing more in our students pays dividends for years to come. Thanks to both the leadership in the Legislature and the year-long work that preceded this legislative session through the Commission on Public School Finance, Texas should be proud of what HB3 represents for all of our kids.” (KTVT, 5/23/19)
Dallas Morning News: “The Product Of Five Months Of Legislating Between The House And The Senate.” “The announcement is the culmination of two years of studying how to improve outcomes for Texas’s students who are underachieving compared to state peers. It’s the product of five months of legislating between the House and the Senate.” (Dallas Morning News, 5/23/19)
KXAS Headline: “Texas Legislators Agree To Deal On School Finance, Property Tax Reform” (KXAS, 5/23/19)
Texas Tribune: “A Comprehensive Reform Of School Finance And Legislation Designed To Slow The Growth Of Rising Property Taxes.” “Texas’ top three political leaders declared Thursday that the Legislature had reached agreements on its top three 2019 priorities: A two-year state budget, a comprehensive reform of school finance and legislation designed to slow the growth of rising property taxes.” (Texas Tribune, 5/23/19)
KCBD: “A Two-Year State Budget, A Comprehensive Reform Of School Finance, And Legislation Designed To Slow The Growth Of Rising Property Taxes.” “New developments today from the top three political leaders in Texas. They say the legislature has reached agreements on its top three priorities of the session. Those include a two-year state budget, a comprehensive reform of school finance, and legislation designed to slow the growth of rising property taxes. Governor Greg Abbott made the announcement late this afternoon, just a few days before the legislature is scheduled to gavel out. Both chambers will need to sign off on the three negotiated bills before the regular session ends Monday.” (KCBD, 5/23/19)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: “Reached Long-Sought Agreements” “Top Texas leaders announced Thursday that they’ve hashed out differences and reached long-sought agreements in plans for teacher raises, property taxes and school funding.” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5/23/19)
KEYE Headline: “Austin ISD Leaders Say School Finance Bill Will Leave District ‘Better Off'” (KEYE, 5/23/19)
Corpus Christi Caller Times: “A Running Theme In The Afternoon News Conference Was Political Harmony.” “A running theme in the afternoon news conference was political harmony. Joining the Republican leadership at the photo opportunity were four Democratic lawmakers who worked on the school finance package, and Abbott and Co. were quick to tout the cooperative spirit of the behind-the-scene crafting on the plan they said will be well over 100 pages.” (Corpus Christi Caller Times, 5/23/19)
