Texas schools have always lagged behind the rest of the country in school funding, and we continue to be in the bottom five states. But since 2019, Texas schools have lost $10 billion in funding (or $1,300 per child) due to rising costs and unfunded state mandates. NOT A PENNY has been added to cover inflation, as the Governor and Lt Governor have held school funding hostage in order to get their private school voucher plan. On top of that, Texas coffers are overflowing with tax payments from Texas stakeholders that are meant to fund public schools. The Rainy Day Fund will have over $25 billion and the budget surplus is at $22 billion. THIS IS OUR MONEY, NOT THE GOVERNOR'S, AND IT'S MEANT FOR THE SCHOOL CHILDREN OF TEXAS!

60% of Texas school district are operating in the red, with schools closing, teachers being laid off and programs cut. It will only get worse next year if the legislature doesn't do its duty to adequately fund public schools!

Don't be fooled. Despite promises to add funding this year, the funding will be too little and leadership will continue to hold the funding belonging to the children, schools and taxpayers of Texas hostage to an ill-conceived voucher plan that few Texans want.

Here's what we demand of the state legislature:

1. Add at least $10 billion this year in new funding to the basic allotment to public schools to cover the cuts in real dollars that have occurred since 2019. $15 billion would add approximately $1,340 per student for two years to cover the next biennium, getting state funding equal to what it was in 2019. With approximately $50 billion available between the Rainy Day Fund and the budget surplus (partly because you have withheld education funding), there is more than enough to make this investment.
2. Sign into law an automatic increase to school funding every two years to cover rising costs due to inflation.
3. Say NO to private school vouchers once again. Public funding needs to stay in public schools.
4. Because Texas schools have been under-resourced by the state leadership for so long, place a moratorium on the A-F accountability grading system and any sanctions on schools and districts (including state takeover), while a new system of accountability is studied and agreed upon.
5. Ensure that all Texas public schools are places of safety and support for ALL children, no matter their background or legal status.

Let's turn the page from trying to punish and privatize, and do what's right for ALL Texas schoolchildren!

For more information, including signing up for the April 5, 2025 rally at the Texas State Capitol, go to savetxschools.org.