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Last week, Houston ISD announced significant budget cuts, highlighting a statewide financial challenge in public education. State Representative Jon Rosenthal emphasized the urgent need for a statewide solution, warning of detrimental impacts on education if swift action isn’t taken.
In a letter addressed to Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday, Rosenthal called for a special session to address the crisis. He specifically urged an increase in the state’s basic allotment, the per-student funding formula, which has remained unchanged since 2019. Additionally, he advocated for a boost in the school safety allotment.
Rosenthal’s letter garnered support from at least 40 lawmakers, reflecting widespread concern among legislators. However, he noted that a similar proposal to raise the basic allotment failed to gain traction in the past session.
Governor Abbott responded to Rosenthal’s request, highlighting Democratic lawmakers’ opposition to a school funding bill in the previous session, which aimed to allocate an additional $6 billion. Abbott affirmed his commitment to enhancing public education, pointing out challenges such as lower enrollment and the loss of federal COVID-19 relief funds.
Despite the governor’s reluctance to convene a special session, Rosenthal remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of public pressure to drive legislative action.
The survey conducted by last week revealed widespread budget concerns among school districts, with many facing deficits and anticipating significant cuts in the upcoming year.
While only the governor has the authority to call a special legislative session, Rosenthal continues to advocate for measures to bolster the public education system, recognizing the critical role it plays in shaping the future of Texas.