Statement on Austin Chamber's position on school finance reform

Posted on 03/12/2019

AUSTIN, Texas—Austin Chamber 2019 Education Chair Nikki Graham today released the following statement about the Chamber's position on school finance reform:

“The Austin Chamber is a strong supporter of the unanimous, bipartisan recommendations of the Texas School Finance Commission. These recommendations are part of different pieces of legislation.

"Speaker Bonnen and Chair Huberty deserve credit for filing HB3, which would dramatically improve public education funding, increase the state share for financing public education and make important financial support for pre-K, dual language and educationally disadvantaged students.

"We also greet warmly SB4, filed by Chair Taylor last Friday, which includes other commission recommendations, to include financial rewards to school districts for students who can read by the end of 3rd grade and graduate college/career and military ready.

"We eagerly await the component to meaningfully compress local property tax rates to improve our region’s affordability. The Austin business community believes our governor and both chambers recognize this historic opportunity to knit together a final package with the components above during the regular session.”

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