Texas House Bill HJR97

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the state to pay at least 50 percent of the cost of maintaining and operating the public school system and prohibiting the comptroller from certifying legislation containing an appropriation unless the requirement is met.

Impact

If enacted, HJR97 would require a substantial change in how the state allocates funds for public schools. This requirement could lead to increased appropriations from the state budget to meet the constitutional mandate, fundamentally altering the budgetary dynamics for public education. The implications could extend to local school districts, which might find themselves with more reliable funding sources and the ability to offer better educational resources and opportunities for students across Texas.

Summary

HJR97 proposes a significant amendment to the Texas Constitution that mandates the state to fund at least 50% of the costs associated with maintaining and operating the public school system. This resolution not only sets a clear funding requirement but also introduces a provision that restricts the state comptroller from certifying legislation containing appropriations for public education unless this funding baseline is met. The proposed amendment aims to ensure a more substantial state investment in public education, addressing potential funding shortfalls that have impacted school operations statewide.

Contention

The proposal has stirred debate among legislators and stakeholders in the educational realm. Proponents argue that this constitutional amendment is essential for ensuring equitable funding for public schools, saying that all students should have access to quality education, regardless of their geographic location. Conversely, opponents may express concerns over the financial implications of such a mandate on the state budget, apprehensive about whether the government can maintain this funding level without compromising other critical areas of public expenditure. As a result, discussions around HJR97 raise important questions about educational priorities and fiscal sustainability in Texas.