A battle is brewing in the Texas Legislature over school finance, teacher pay raises, and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). With House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) declaring this session an "education session," the Texas House has dropped a legislative package aimed at reshaping public education funding, teacher compensation, and school choice. But the question remains: Can the House and Senate strike a deal?
The Texas Two-Step: Pay Raises, ESAs, and Public School Funding
At the heart of the House’s proposal are two bills—House Bills 2 and 3—crafted by Chairman Brad Buckley (R-Salado). Burrows called the package the “Texas Two-Step,” a nod to the dual focus on teacher pay and school choice.
The proposal includes:
Teacher pay raises: Ranging from $3,000 to $36,000, depending on performance, experience, and location.
Increased public school funding: A $220 boost to the basic allotment per student.
Education Savings Accounts: Roughly $10,600 per account, with increases tied to overall education funding.
The House’s ESA plan is nominally universal, but priority would be given to lower-income families. The Senate’s version carries a hefty price tag, growing from $1 billion in the next biennium to over $6 billion by 2028-2029.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick praised the House’s efforts, calling HB 3 a strong match for Senate Bill 2. “We look forward to Speaker Burrows and Chairman Buckley to finally get it across the finish line in the House,” Patrick said.
A Political Fight in the Making
The Republican-led House is attempting a new strategy after previous failures to pass an omnibus education package in 2023. This time, separating school funding and ESAs into distinct bills could create two battles instead of one.
Democrats, led by House Democratic Chairman Gene Wu (D-Houston), are making it clear they intend to block ESAs at all costs. Wu called the proposal a “multibillion-dollar hustle” that starves public schools while benefiting private institutions. “The Governor is trying to waltz away with our children's future,” he warned.
With Gov. Greg Abbott’s $70 million war chest in the background, House leadership is determined to push the ESA bill through. Burrows insists the votes are there, but if they fall short, the political consequences could be severe—especially after the heavy involvement of school choice groups in the 2024 primaries.
Beyond the Big-Ticket Items
While HB 2 and HB 3 dominate headlines, the House is also introducing a range of other education reforms:
HB 4: Replaces the current STAAR test with a shorter, more tailored version.
HB 6 (Teacher’s Bill of Rights): Strengthens classroom discipline protections for teachers.
HB 20: Expands technical education through an “applied sciences pathway program.”
HB 100: Requires school districts to use State Board of Education-approved instructional materials.
HB 120: Expands benefits for students in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
HB 123: Provides a $750 tutoring payment for third graders struggling with reading.
