Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Representative Abel Herrero D-Robstown voted against the appropriations bill on the House floor because it did not prioritize public education.
Even though the bill replaced some of the funding previously cut from the states education system it did not come close to replenishing the $5.4 billion that Republicans cut from the budget during the last legislative session.
Our children deserve better" Herrero said. I could not in good conscience vote in favor of a bill that leaves our children behind and falls abysmally short of setting a positive path for their future. Class sizes will remain crowded and our schools will continue to be forced to work with the bare minimum while being asked to do more."
On Thursday Herrero offered several amendments to the budget bill to increase funding to Texas schools restore prekindergarten grant programs and to prohibit any diversion of state funds from public schools in the guise of school vouchers.
Herrero pledged to continue to fight for Texas children.
I will do whatever I can to help provide our children with a brighter future"Herrero said. The dreams of our children depend on the quality of education we provide them. We must take steps to make sure they can realize those dreams."
Budget shortcomings
- $5.3 Billion in general revenue would still be needed to reach 2008 funding levels for the Foundation School Program
- Only provides 46 cents on the dollar of the funding needed to restore the $5.4 billion in cuts from last legislative session
- Zero funds restored to Prekindergarten grants(Over $200 million cut in 2012-13 biennium)
- One billion dollars estimated Medicaid IOU bill in 2015
- Zero funds for Medicaid cost growth and no reimbursement rate increases for doctors
- All while $685 Million in general revenue remains available for services and
- An additional $11.8 Billion still available in the Rainy Day Fund estimated at the end of the 2014-15 biennium
