Special session still on the table

Perry won't rule out convening Legislature in fall on school finance

11:04 PM CDT on Sunday, August 29, 2004

By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News

NEW YORK – Gov. Rick Perry said Sunday that he would not rule out a special, lame-duck legislative session – perhaps after the November elections – on school finance reform.

"There is always the possibility, if we can find the consensus and get the House and Senate to sign off on a plan," Mr. Perry told reporters after speaking to a gathering of GOP women at the Republican National Convention.

"I've told no one to disregard the fact that if we're into the fall, that's a reason not to be prepared to come into Austin with a week's notice."

Mr. Perry called lawmakers to a special session this spring, but lawmakers were unable to agree on a solution.

It's unclear how the dynamics of a November special session would affect the ability to get a bill passed. Elections earlier in the month could leave a number of lame ducks in the Legislature.

Lawmakers are to reconvene in regular session in January.

A spokesman for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said he knew of no movement in school finance discussions that could lead to a special session.

Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, who has been involved in the talks, said the Nov. 2 elections, along with the time off many officials take after campaigning and with Thanksgiving, would complicate returning to Austin.

"If the governor wants to be hard-core and call a special session, I'll be there," said Mr. Branch, whose district includes the property rich Highland Park school district.

In the first special session on school finance, a strong block of Republicans objected to the use of gaming revenue from video slot machines as a funding source for public schools.

The opposition came even as supporters dangled property tax decreases as part of the formula.

Mr. Perry said Sunday that House and Senate leaders still are reviewing a school finance formula that's enhanced with revenue from video slot machines.

"It's an option that's out there on the table," he said. "If Texans are asked do you want to see your property tax lowered and video lottery terminals are one of the alternatives, I think that's a fair question."

But the governor stopped short of endorsing a gaming proposal, which he did earlier this year when he backed placement of video slot machines at Texas race and dog tracks to fund public education.

"There are going to be a lot of options on the table," he said. "For me to say at this particular point in time that one of them is better than the other, when I haven't seen them all, is a little premature."

After this year's school finance special session collapsed, some analysts questioned whether legislators and the governor could agree, particularly given tough opposition to expanded gambling in Texas.

But Mr. Perry said dialogue continues.

"I think we make progress every day," he said. "As long as we are talking, we're making progress."

Meantime, District Judge John Dietz is expected to rule on a case challenging Texas' school funding system in mid-September. Whatever he rules, an appeal is expected.

E-mail gjeffers@dallasnews.com