Special Session Update: Property Tax Relief and School Finance Reform

Legislation to Create School Finance Commission

Governor Greg Abbott has asked me to author legislation that will create the Texas Commission on Public School Finance which will begin to rebuild our outdated school finance system. This is one of the twenty priority items previously announced by Governor Abbott on the special session agenda that convenes July 18. My hope is to provide property tax relief while adequately funding education.

“The school finance system in Texas is broken,” said Governor Abbott. “That is why I have called for legislation to create a commission that will work throughout the interim on solutions to our failed Robin Hood program and craft serious reforms for our obsolete school finance system. I am grateful to Sen. Taylor and Rep. King for understanding the importance of this issue and applaud their efforts to begin to fix it.”

While there have been many laudable attempts to address our broken school finance system, we’ve yet to reach consensus in the Legislature and enact real, substantive solutions into law. The problem is simply too complex, which is why we need a state commission–with representatives of the Governor and legislative leadership–to thoroughly study the issues, seek input from a wide array of stakeholders, and build consensus over the interim.

Happy Independence Day!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July with family and friends. Terry and I attended the Boomin’ 4th Fireworks Show with several of our kids and grandkids.

State Representative Phil King represents Parker and Wise counties in the Texas House of Representatives.