March 25, 2015 5:37 PM

House proposal could end school finance lawsuit with large revenue infusion

New plan shifts funds, adds $3 billion in new revenue, updates transportation

Leaders in the House intend to deconstruct the state’s school finance system in order to flow $6.4 billion or more in new revenue through per-pupil funding.

Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, who chairs the House Education Committee, did most of the talking to unveil the plan today. Aycock announced the House had intended to wait out the school finance case but reversed course, finding another $800 million to add to $2.2 billion in new funding committed in the House budget.

Aycock spoke broadly about addressing the Cost-of-Education Index and the transportation allotment, both of which are seriously outdated. Beyond that, Aycock would only say he intended to smooth the end of funding intended to hold districts harmless in light of the 2006 tax compression, known as Additional State Aid for Tax Reduction, or ASATR, and ease the pain of increasing recapture of local funds under the current school finance system.

Aycock was more forthcoming with school district leaders at the TASA/TASB legislative conference today. Aycock told school leaders, as he told reporters this morning, the proposed solution did create some winners and losers, with a whole lot to love and something for some districts to hate.

By Kimberly Reeves