House sends first Robin Hood relief, historic property tax cut, teacher pay raise and additional school funding to the Governor's desk

(AUSTIN, TX)   Earlier today the Texas House voted 136-8 to pass House Bill 1, the central component of school funding legislation, and send the bill to the Governor's desk, ensuring a successful special session on school finance. Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas), one of the primary authors, voted for the bill. The legislation directs $3.85 billion new dollars to local schools and local school tax relief and complies with the court-imposed June 1, 2006 deadline to fix our unconstitutional school finance system. 

This bill, along with the reformed business franchise tax which passed earlier in the special session, gives property owners an approximate 1/3 reduction in school property taxes, shifts more of the school funding burden back to the state and provides property wealthy districts with their first Robin Hood relief since the scheme's inception in 1993.  The property tax cut of 11 percent this year and a total of 33 percent in 2007 will allow school districts "meaningful discretion," as directed by the Texas Supreme Court, to raise local funds.  For property wealthy districts, the initial local dollars will not be subject to Robin Hood.  For property poor districts, the initial additional dollars will receive enhanced supplementation from the state. 

"House Bill 1 is big step forward," Branch said. "We're about to conclude a short special session in the legislature, but make a long stride for the school children of Texas."   Branch added, "This is the first Robin Hood relief in 13 years as well as the highest state subsidy for property poor schools in Texas history."

In addition to the largest local property tax cut in our state's history, the bill provides new teacher compensation and incentive pay in excess of $2000; bolsters college readiness by requiring four years of math, science, English and social studies beginning with the freshman class of 2007 and adds new writing requirements to the high school curriculum.  The legislation calls for more transparency of school district expenditures, encourages increased graduation rates by offering intervention programs and flexible instruction hours for at-risk students and increases participation in school board elections.  Commencing this school year, the bill provides school districts with an additional $275 per high school student.  Commencing in the fall of 2007, the legislation calls for a uniform school start date of the fourth Monday in August.   HB 1 was endorsed by the superintendents of Dallas ISD and Highland Park ISD. 

Dan Branch represents House District 108, which includes downtown, near north and east Dallas as well as the Park Cities. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee, and its Education Subcommittee as well as the House Public Education Committee.