The Senate’s spending plan tracks the House’s in devoting $5 billion of new money into public schools, with final decisions on how that will be doled out still to be made. The Senate’s mentions education savings accounts to let parents choose private schools as one potential use; the House does not.
Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, said that in addition, the 186,000 retired teachers who are 75 years old or older would get a “13th check” of $7,500. On mental health, Austin Democratic Sen. Sarah Eckhardt said the Senate plan makes a “stellar” investment of new funds. Patrick has said the Texas Energy Insurance Program, as the plan is called, would finally fix the grid run by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Abbott has said bills passed in 2021 and new rules crafted by his appointed regulators would assure no further problems.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address longstanding needs, pay down debts, make strategic investments in our state’s infrastructure and historic sites, and most importantly, give money back to the taxpayers,” Huffman said. She’s in her first session as head of the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee.
Where are the residential property tax cuts?