Texas House moves forward on $8 billion school funding bill with bipartisan support

The Texas House on Wednesday gave strong preliminary approval to a sweeping $8 billion public education funding bill, aiming to address long-standing challenges in school finance, teacher pay, and support for students with disabilities.

House Bill 2, the chamber’s top school funding priority this session, passed in a lopsided 144-4 vote, signaling rare bipartisan agreement on the need to better support the state’s 5.5 million public school students.

The bill proposes a $395 increase in the basic allotment — the foundational amount of money the state gives school districts per student — bringing it from $6,160 to $6,555. That amount would automatically adjust every two years based on local property value growth, helping districts keep pace with rising costs.

Forty percent of the increase would go directly toward staff salaries, with more significant raises targeted at veteran teachers with over 10 years of experience. The bill also limits the use of non-certified instructors in classrooms and revamps special education funding to better reflect the individual needs of students with disabilities.

“This is a meaningful step forward for our schools and the educators who have stuck with our students through the hardest years,” said Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Killeen, the bill’s author. “We’re making sure our dollars follow students, support teachers, and reflect the realities on the ground.”

Tensions Over Scope and Priorities

While Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure, several voiced frustration that it doesn’t go far enough to solve a broader funding crisis in public education. Many districts across the state are grappling with steep budget deficits, staff shortages, and, in some cases, school closures.

“This is a good bill, but let’s be clear — it’s the floor, not the ceiling,” said Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin. “We have campuses closing, teachers leaving in droves, and kids with special needs who still aren’t getting services. We should be bold enough to meet the full moment.”

During a lengthy debate, lawmakers also clashed over how resources are distributed, particularly around funding for at-risk students and charter school accountability. Some Democrats pushed for more investment in compensatory education, a program designed to support underserved students, while others called for tighter oversight of charter schools accused of mismanagement.

Senate Hurdles Ahead

Though the bill sailed through the House, its path in the Senate is less certain. Senate leaders have already passed their own education funding measures but have been hesitant to raise the basic allotment — favoring targeted funding increases for specific areas like teacher pay, campus safety, and special education.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who leads the Senate, has expressed skepticism about across-the-board funding hikes, arguing they offer less transparency and oversight than earmarked appropriations.

Still, advocates for public schools say raising the basic allotment gives districts the flexibility they need to address local needs, from retaining experienced teachers to maintaining aging buildings.

School Funding Tied to Voucher Debate

The vote on HB 2 came just before the House was set to consider a controversial school voucher proposal — a top priority for Gov. Greg Abbott. The governor has pushed aggressively for a voucher system that would allow parents to use public dollars for private school tuition.

In 2023, Abbott withheld roughly $8 billion in additional public school funding after the House refused to pass vouchers. That political standoff left districts without critical financial support for two years.

This time, lawmakers hope to avoid a similar fate — but the outcome remains uncertain as voucher negotiations heat up again.

“We can’t let our schools be held hostage,” said Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock. “Public education is a right, not a bargaining chip.”

What’s Next

House Bill 2 now heads to the Senate, where it could be revised, delayed, or combined with other proposals. If passed there, it would go to Abbott’s desk for his signature.

In the meantime, public school advocates and district leaders will be watching closely, hoping the Legislature follows through with what they see as a long-overdue investment in Texas classrooms.