IDRA Texas Education Policy Alert – March 4, 2025

In this edition, get information on the latest hearing notice for House Bill 3, learn more on school funding proposals and learn more about your local school district with our new school funding data dashboards!

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In this edition…

Committee Hearings This Week
HB 2: A School Funding Proposal
For Next Week – Action Alert: Vote No on House Bill 3
Voucher Data Map
New: School Funding Data Dashboards
Highlights from Last Week

Coming Up: Week of March 4, 2025

Texas House: Tuesday – Thursday

Tuesday

House Public Education Committee
8:00 a.m. (See notice) – Invited Testimony Only

Wednesday

House Public Education Subcommittee on Academic & Career-Oriented Education
2:00 p.m. (See notice) – Public Hearing

Thursday

House Public Education Committee
8:00 a.m. (See notice) – Public Hearing

Texas Senate: Tuesday

Senate Education K-16 Committee
11:00 a.m. (See notice)
Watch hearings live
Watch past hearings

Important School Funding Measures

The House Public Education Committee will take up House Bill 2, a bill that would raise the basic allotment and includes some positive steps for school funding. It does not raise the allotment nearly enough to account for inflation, nor does it raise additional funding for serving bilingual students.

Our Deputy Director of Policy Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., is presenting invited testimony during the committee meeting. Watch the hearing live this morning.

Next Week: Action Alert, Vote No on House Bill 3!

The House Public Education Committee has scheduled a hearing on House Bill 3, its version of a voucher bill. The hearing is next Tuesday March 11 at 8:00 am. If you’re in the Austin area, come to testify against the bill. If not, call the members of the committee and tell them to vote no on vouchers.

HB 3 allocates $1 billion toward an “education savings account.” This bill, like the Senate version, diverts public money to private schools.

House Public Education Committee Members

Rep. James Talarico – (512) 463-0821
Chairman Rep. Brad Buckley – (512) 463-0684
Vice Chair Rep. Diego Bernal – (512) 463-0532
Rep. Alma Allen – (512) 463-0744
Rep. Trent Ashby – (512) 463-0508
Rep. John Bryant – (512) 463-0576
Rep. Charles Cunningham – (512) 463-0520
Rep. Harold Dutton – (512) 463-0510
Rep. James Frank – (512) 463-0534
Rep. Gina Hinojosa – (512) 463-0668
Rep. Todd Hunter – (512) 463-0672
Rep. Helen Kerwin – (512) 463-0538
Rep. Jeff Leach – (512) 463-0544
Rep. Terri Leo Wilson – (512) 463-0502
Rep. Alan Schoolcraft – (512) 463-0602

First time testifying at the Texas Capitol? Check out our video!

See More Advocacy Tips on TikTok and Instagram!

Highlights from Last Week

Testimony Presented Last Week

Book Bans are Undemocratic and Unconstitutional – IDRA Testimony against SB 13, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas Senate Committee on Education K-16, February 27, 2025

District Censorship Requirements Threaten Students’ Educational Opportunities – IDRA Testimony against SB 12, Submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas Senate Committee on Education K-16, February 27, 2025

Cost of Vouchers Data Map Infographic

Check out our data map to see how much your school district stands to lose with a voucher program.

Katy ISD could lose $38.8 million
Houston ISD could lose $75 million
Dallas ISD could lose $57 million
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD could lose $48 million
Northside ISD could lose $41 million

The Big Cost of Proposed Voucher Legislation

New School Funding Data Dashboards

Check out our new school funding data maps! These interactive give you an opportunity to see how much or how little money the state provides to your school district, and how much your district must rely on local funds.

Additionally we have maps that show the amount funds your district receives for special education and bilingual education. Click on your school district to learn more.