AP: Texas

08/10/2005

By APRIL CASTRO  / Associated Press

The Texas Senate approved a revised $2.8 billion education spending plan Tuesday that would give teachers a pay raise and fund textbooks, but still depends on a separate tax-swap bill that doesn't yet exist.

It's the second attempt from the chamber this special session, the second of the summer. The Senate passed another version during the regular session, but couldn't agree on a final version with House negotiators. This special session must end Aug. 19.

This bill, too, could have a tough time in the lower chamber after several of the provisions that the House advocated were stripped. House Speaker Tom Craddick has said his chamber is adamant about a mandatory school start date and moving school board elections to November rather than May. Neither were in the Senate version, but a mandatory school start date, the Tuesday after Labor Day, was added to the measure during floor debate.

Also Tuesday, the House tentatively passed a textbook bill that would spend $291 million this year to buy overdue textbooks in foreign languages, health and fine arts. The new books, which have been ordered and are sitting in warehouses unused, would replace books that could be as much as 14 years old.

The measure would also allocate $35 million in federal funds to expand a pilot program that brings technology such as laptops and educational software into the classroom.

This also was the second attempt this session for the House, which rejected its version of another education spending bill last month.

"It is 2005, a full two sessions later, six special sessions later and we're talking about things we should have paid for (two) years ago," said Rep. Jim Dunnam, a Waco Democrat.

"That's the best we can do? No wonder the people of Texas are saying the Legislature is a disgrace and not able to solve this problem."

Also Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry signed a $33 billion budget for the Texas Education Agency over the next two years. Perry had vetoed that money before calling the last special session.

"I am signing (the education budget), not because it adequately funds education reforms, but because it ensures schools will open on time," Perry said. "I remain hopeful that the Legislature will act in the remaining days of this special session to finish the job of reforming our education system, giving teachers a meaningful pay increase and funding textbooks."

In the Senate plan, teachers would get a $2,750 pay raise over two years, which includes the $1,000 health care stipend that was cut in half two years ago. The measure also would institute an incentive pay program to financially reward teachers for student success.

Sen. Florence Shapiro, a Plano Republican who authored the measure, said the measure is the culmination of work that began in January 2003.

"Now, two and a half years later, this journey has brought us to today, with the Senate putting $2.8 billion into education, updating antiquated formulas, increasing teacher salaries, making the system more transparent and accountable, and creating a seamless system of education from pre-kindergarten through college," Shapiro said.

"As long as there is still daylight in this special session I'll be fighting for overall reform in addition to textbook funding and teacher pay."

The measure is contingent on another bill that would lower school property taxes and replace them with an array of new business and consumer taxes. Tax bills must start in the House, where Craddick says he doesn't have the votes to pass a tax bill.

The Senate attempted to bypass the rule on new taxes by adopting a measure that would write a reduced maximum school property tax rate into the state constitution. The constitutional amendment would be contingent on a vote from Texans and would mandate a future tax bill to replace lowered taxes.

"The House will not send us a tax bill at the present time," said Republican Sen. Steve Ogden, who introduced the measure. "This is another way to provide property tax relief to the people of the state of Texas.

"We have no other choice right now."

The state is under court pressure to change its school finance system. A state district judge ruled last year in a lawsuit brought by hundreds of school districts that the system is inadequate and unconstitutional. Because most districts are taxing at the legal limit, the court said school property taxes amount to a statewide property tax, which is illegal in Texas.

Judge John Dietz ordered it fixed by Oct. 1 of this year. The state appealed to the Texas Supreme Court, which is expected to rule in the coming weeks or months.

Pledging to reform the school funding system and reduce property taxes, Perry has called three special sessions since spring 2004, so far without success. His upcoming re-election bid may hinge on the outcome of the ongoing school funding saga.