FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2025
CONTACT: Nicole Hill, press@texasaft.org
With a likely recession looming, underfunded public schools need lawmakers to honor their funding promises to Texas students before it’s too late
Austin, Texas – Today, Texas AFT again calls on the Texas Senate to set House Bill 2 for a public hearing and expedite the passage of new funds for public schools. Lawmakers still have time to agree on a funding plan before conferees are done negotiating the 2026-27 state budget, but the end of session is approaching fast.
Texas is well-positioned to invest in public schools this session. Right now, the state has more money in reserves than some states have at all. Lawmakers have a $23.8 billion budget surplus at their disposal, while the Economic Stabilization Fund balance sits gathering dust in the vault at $23.4 billion. HB 2 doesn’t solve all the school finance problems the state has let fester since 2019, but without it – and specifically without a meaningful increase to the basic allotment – there will be devastation, particularly in pre-Kindergarten and special education.
New GDP numbers released last week suggest the United States may be heading toward a recession. Even more troubling for Texas, crude oil futures dropped below $60 a barrel. Despite a slight rebound after the U.S. and China temporarily paused tariffs, oil futures may continue to drop due to slowing demand and rising supply. With a possible economic downturn around the corner, Texas has an obligation to invest heavily in schools while there’s still a sizable budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund to draw from.
There are 21 days left of the 2025 regular session.
“Public school districts across the state are operating on deficit budgets after lawmakers failed to deliver on their promise for funding last session. Governor Abbott and his voucher gamesmanship are to blame, and they’ll have to own the consequences: mass layoffs, school closures, and steep budget cuts in districts big and small. Whether lawmakers want to add to the wreckage is up to them,” said Zeph Capo, president of Texas AFT. “Don’t play games with public education. We’re in precarious times, and Texas schools need the state’s help to weather the storm. Otherwise, we’re looking at an unmitigated disaster for students and educators in the next couple of years.”
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The Texas American Federation of Teachers represents 66,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, support personnel, and higher-education employees across the state. Texas AFT is affiliated with the 1.8-million-member American Federation of Teachers and the AFL-CIO.