Agency cuts forecast a big funding fight in the 90th legislative session.

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The Texas “Big 3” (Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, and State House Speaker Dan Burrows) announced in a letter this week to state agencies to prepare for 3% cuts to their budgets in the upcoming legislative session. Citing rising costs of living and homeownership, the cuts are to help fuel further property tax cuts in order “to preserve Texas’ competitive advantage.” For those keeping score at home, TEA is a state agency. 

While the letter exempts cuts to the Foundation School Program (the main source for state funding for Texas public schools), it also exempts the Governor’s favored school voucher scam. Costs for this privatization scheme are already over $1 billion and set to balloon without oversight for years to come. Ask our friends in Arizona. Adding to the strain is the aforementioned prioritization of increased property tax cuts – school districts are struggling immensely to fill gaps in funding despite state promises to help. 

Despite exempting FSP, a 3% cut for TEA could have consequences for public schools, depending on where the agency chooses to cut resources. It remains to be seen whether TEA will reduce its administrative bloat or target key positions that have served our schools and students.  

Lawmakers need to increase the basic allotment and address the funding crises we’re seeing in ISDs across the state. HB 2’s much touted funding increases were not enough – a point we’ve made many times. Throwing a 3% budget cut hot potato to the mix will increase the stakes of next year’s funding fight.  

Texas AFT will continue to monitor TEA as interim work on the budget continues and agencies’ appropriations requests come into view. We will fight any attempt to balance TEA’s budget on the backs of Texas students and educators.