Funding

Rick Perry and Tea Party Republicans cut public education funding by more than $5 billion last year – a staggering cut that harms millions of school children across Texas. Chris Turner will fight to reverse the Republican education cuts that have resulted in teacher layoffs and larger class sizes across Texas.

Chris believes education funding was already inadequate and that Perry and the Legislature should have used the billions of dollars in the state’s Rainy Day Fund and closed tax loopholes in order to save schools from devastating cuts.

Chris will fight for a more fair and better financed public education system for all Texas children.

Teaching to the test

Chris also believes we must reform the school accountability system that has become entirely too dependent on standardized tests. There is entirely too much “teaching to the test” in Texas and we need to lessen the emphasis on standardized testing in the classroom.

School Districts in House District 96 will Benefit from Measure

AUSTIN – Today, State Rep. Chris Turner voted for HB 3646, which will direct an additional $1.9 billion to Texas public schools over the next two years. The finance plan will increase funding for every school district in the state and increase teacher pay by at least $800 annually.

“It is critical that we provide our children, teachers and school districts with the resources they need to succeed,” said Turner, a co-author of the bill. “While not perfect, this bill is a good start at reversing the ill-advised finance plan the Legislature passed three years ago.  It is my hope that we will be able to find additional ways in the near future to further improve school funding, reduce pressure on local property taxpayers and make the system work even better for our schoolchildren.”

House Bill 3646, authored by Rep. Scott Hochberg of Houston, also improves equity among school districts and reduces the “recapture” payments and completely eliminates “recapture” for 30 districts in the state.

“I have heard from parents, teachers, administrators and school board members from across District 96 who are struggling to make ends meet under the current school finance plan, which froze tax rates at 2006 levels,” continued Turner. “As a result, school districts are having to make difficult decisions about their future, such as delaying school openings, cutting classes or reducing the number of teachers on the payroll. It is my hope that the additional funding provided for in House Bill 3646 will give school districts some much-needed relief.”

Texas House District 96 includes: Arlington ISD, Burleson ISD, Crowley ISD, Kennedale ISD and Mansfield ISD. The school districts will benefit as follows: