AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) — With Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s inauguration Tuesday state lawmakers are following his lead and going straight to school funding as their first order of business.
Public funding of Texas schools is certain to see an increase. Several bills have been filed, one promising teachers big pay raises. That bill, by State Sen. Jane Nelson, would give every public school teacher in the state a $5,000 raise. Opponents say other school employees should get similar raises. How much of a raise is finally approved will depend first on how much of a funding increase the legislature approves.
At this point the Senate and House are three billion dollars apart. The House wants a seven billion dollar boost while the Senate is backing a more modest four billion dollar increase.
Lawmakers have until the end of May to send bills to the governor for his signature.
