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Houston Matters

Why Did School Finance Reform Fail This Legislative Session?

In 2011, the Texas Legislature cut $5 billion from the public education budget. More than two-thirds of Texas public school districts filed lawsuits. Then in 2013, lawmakers restored the majority of the funding cut two years earlier. Nevertheless, a court challenge over how the state funds schools has gone forward, with arguments expected in the […]

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In 2011, the Texas Legislature cut $5 billion from the public education budget. More than two-thirds of Texas public school districts filed lawsuits. Then in 2013, lawmakers restored the majority of the funding cut two years earlier.

Nevertheless, a court challenge over how the state funds schools has gone forward, with arguments expected in the coming months before the Texas Supreme Court, though not before the current legislative session concludes.

During this session there was little political will to pass any school finance reform.

We hear from State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock of Killeen about his efforts to do so. And we talk with, David Hinojosa, the lead litigator in the ongoing Texas school funding trial.

Michael Hagerty

Michael Hagerty

Senior Producer, Houston Matters

Michael Hagerty is the senior producer for Houston Matters. He's spent more than 20 years in public radio and television and dabbled in minor league baseball, spending four seasons as the public address announcer for the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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