HB 100 by King, K.: Anti-Taxpayer

HB 100 seeks to increase public education funding, including through enrollment-based funding under the foundation school program and increasing and restructuring the minimum salary schedule for specified employees. HB 100 also provides for an increase to the basic allotment, the establishment of a rural pathway excellence partnership program, the establishment of a fine arts allotment, and the incorporation of recommendations from the special education finance commission to revise the funding mechanism relating to students receiving special education services. HB 100 has a negative fiscal impact of almost $4.36 billion through the biennium and it is estimated to cost nearly $4 billion every year thereafter. School districts in Texas are already flush with cash, with many also sitting on taxpayer money sent by the federal government. Instead of appropriating additional money for these purposes, school districts should be forced to provide for such things from existing resources. A good start would be to address the administrative bloat. HB 100 does not do this. For this reason, TFR opposes HB 100.