Texas House members filed a bevy of education bills last week, including a proposed $8 billion investment in public ed - ucation and a voucher bill that ties the amount of money spent for private schooling to the dol -
lar amount provided to public schools. The Austin Ameri - can-Statesman reported the bill, filed by Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, would increase the base level of per-student fund - ing by $220 - from $6,160 to $6,380. Additional funds would be provided for special educa - tion, bilingual education, trans - portation and to rural school districts.
The House voucher proposal differs from the version already passed by the Texas Senate in that it sets out a tiered system depending on a family's income and prioritizes children with spe - cial education needs. "We want kids in Texas to do better," Buckley said. "That's what it's about." At least two Democratic leg - islators have pushed back. Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, said she was "disappointed" by the proposed increase in per-student funding. The $220 proposed in - crease does not cover increased costs due to inflation. "Our neighborhood schools are desperate for the funding they need to keep their best teachers in the classroom," Hi - nojosa said. Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, cast skepticism on Republicans' claim they have enough votes in the House to pass a voucher program.
