AUSTIN, Texas—The Austin Chamber has joined a coalition of a dozen businesses and education institutions in sending a letter supporting various provisions to CSHB 3. President Mike Rollins signed the letter and released the following statement:

“We joined together with regional business and superintendent leaders to applaud the Texas Senate for its work to adopt CSHB 3. This bill improves 3rd grade readiness and college/career/military readiness with more school funding and reduces—not just slows the growth of—K-12 property taxes. We also encourage the senate to further improve its bill by accounting for our rapidly rising property values in the school finance system reform. Passing comprehensive legislation will help our students and region prosper.”

The letter is also signed by the following business and education leaders:

• Paul Cruz, Ph.D., Superintendent, Austin Independent School District
• Tom Leonard, Ed.D., Eanes Independent School District
• Steve Flores, Ph.D., Round Rock Independent School District
• Douglas Killian, Ed.D., Pflugerville Independent School District
• Brad Lancaster, Ed.D, Lake Travis Independent School District
• Dianne Bangle, CEO, Real Estate Council of Austin
• Amber Gunst, President, Austin Technology Council
• Alyssia Woods, President, Austin Young Chamber of Commerce
• Mike Odom, President, Round Rock Chamber of Commerce
• Marina Ong Bhargarva, President, Austin Asian American Chamber of Commerce
• Luis Rodriguez, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Read the letter in its entirety here.

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