HB 2 – Massive New Funding for Public Schools

HB 2 represents a massive $7.7 billion expansion of public education spending without delivering any meaningful property tax relief for Texans. While the bill is framed as an education finance overhaul, it primarily functions as a vehicle to funnel more taxpayer money into the traditional public school system. The legislation mandates that a large portion of new funds go toward across-the-board pay increases, even if districts are not experiencing performance improvements or enrollment growth. The bill grows government, shifts control further from taxpayers, and doubles down on a status quo that has failed, on average, to deliver results.

However, one positive element is the bill’s treatment of public charter schools. It rightly lifts the cap on charter school facilities funding, expands eligibility for incentive allotments, and ensures that high-performing charters receive fairer treatment in the state’s funding formulas. These provisions move toward leveling the playing field between traditional ISDs and charters that operate more efficiently and have a better track record of success. Still, the few bright spots for charter schools do not outweigh the bill’s broader flaws. HB 2 represents an enormous increase in education spending with no structural reforms or fiscal restraint. The nearly $8 billion in funding would be better spent on property tax relief, and ESAs and Charter schools which provide more educational choice for Texas children and parents.