Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas House Bill HJR35

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to dedicate net state lottery revenue to support educational programs that benefit classroom teaching in public schools and to prohibit advertisements and promotions that state or imply lottery ticket sales revenue will financially assist public schools.

Impact

If enacted, HJR35 would revise Section 47 of Article III of the Texas Constitution to explicitly state that lottery revenue is reserved for educational programs. This amendment would not only clarify the intended use of lottery funds but also strive to improve accountability regarding how these resources are allocated. By ensuring that the focus remains on educational spending, supporters argue that it will create a more equitable distribution of available funds and ultimately enhance the quality of education across Texas public schools.

Summary

HJR35 proposes a constitutional amendment aimed at dedicating the net revenue generated from the state lottery to support educational programs in public schools, specifically focusing on classroom teaching initiatives. The bill emphasizes that these funds should be channeled towards enhancing educational quality, which includes teacher compensation and acquiring necessary educational materials and services. This move reflects a growing concern regarding the adequacy of funding for public education and represents a significant shift toward ensuring that lottery proceeds directly benefit classrooms.

Contention

Opposition to the bill may arise from concerns regarding the implications of relying on lottery revenue for educational funding. Critics may argue that this could create a precarious financial structure for public education, potentially subjecting schools to fluctuations in lottery sales. Furthermore, the amendment includes provisions that prohibit advertisements suggesting that lottery ticket purchases directly benefit public schools which might limit marketing strategies for the lottery and is seen by some as an infringement on freedom of speech for advertising entities. The debates surrounding this bill highlight the tension between ensuring sustainable educational funding and maintaining the financial viability of state lotteries.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HJR92

TX HJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the state school safety fund to provide ongoing financial support for projects that ensure the safety of public schools in this state and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HJR170

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the state school safety fund to provide financial support for projects that enhance the safety of public schools in this state.

TX HJR205

Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit the imposition of school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes on residence homesteads, to increase the rates of state sales and use taxes and dedicate the revenue attributable to that increase for public education, and to establish and prescribe the permissible uses of the homeowner protection fund.

TX HJR169

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the dedication of certain sales and use tax revenue to a special fund established in the state treasury to pay for water infrastructure in this state.

TX HJR182

Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding public free schools and prohibiting certain state regulation regarding private educational settings.

TX SB9

Relating to the rights and certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance and waivers provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators, methods of instruction provided in public schools, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB3940

Relating to the compensation paid to sale agents for state lottery ticket sales.

TX HJR102

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to legalize wagering in this state on certain sporting events and requiring the legislature to dedicate to property tax relief at least 98 percent of the net state tax revenue generated from the wagering on sporting events.

TX HJR77

Proposing a constitutional amendment to permit additional uses of certain dedicated general revenue transferred each fiscal year to the state highway fund.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.