Energizes Teacher Pay & Invests in Programs to Promote Teacher Quality
By State Sen. Lois W. Kolkhorst
AUSTIN Texas (Texas Insider Report) As the 86th Texas Legislature has come to a close there are huge breakthroughs that happened on issues like Property Tax Reform and Education Funding. In the closing days of the session I voted for historic legislation that will fundamentally improve the way our state pays for public schools as well as legislation that will significantly reduce and cap your local property taxes.
You can read more details below about the school and property tax reforms as well as learn about Senate Bill 572 which I authored and passed to cut regulations on small businesses.
School Finance Reform & Property Tax Relief Agreement Reached
House Bill 3 (HB 3) Increases the States Share of Education Funding to Lower Property Taxes. It:
- Provides over $5 billion in statewide property tax relief
- Lowers school property tax rates by an average of 8 cents in 2020 and 13 cents in 2021
- Provides an additional 2.5 tax compression starting in 2021
- Ensures taxpayer dollars are used responsibly by requiring districts to conduct efficiency audits before going to voters with a tax increase
- Increases the states share of education funding from 38 to 45
HB 3 Energizes Teacher Pay & Invests in Programs to Promote Teacher Quality. It:
- Compensates educators as true professionals by unleashing over $2 billion in dynamic pay raises for teachers librarians counselors and nurses
- Creates a merit/incentive pay program for high-quality educators to receive additional pay
- Increases the minimum teacher salary schedule
- Invests in professional development and mentoring programs for new teachers
And finally HB 3 puts $4.5 Billion Additional Dollars into Classrooms to Accelerate Student Achievement. It:
- Significantly increases the Basic Allotment per students
- Adopts high-quality K-3 reading standards so students read at grade level by 3rd grade
- Creates the first dyslexia identification program in Texas history
- Accelerates student achievement via College Career & Military Readiness outcomes bonuses dual-language programs and extended year summer programs for students
- Creates a Do Not Hire registry to protect children in the classroom
- Directs more funds to schools with higher concentrations of under-served students including dropouts students in special education and residential treatment facilities
Bill to Reduce Regulations on Small Businesses Heads to Governor
A company created today in someones home may be tomorrows Fortune 500 success story. Thats why I am proud to have authored and passed SB 572 which reduces burdensome regulations on our states many small food producers.
Small businesses are the backbone of the Texas economy and we must allow them to thrive.
Ban on State Income Tax Headed to Governor for Signature
If unchecked a governments power to tax can become the power to destroy. Thats why we must always separate the wants versus the needs of government.
Contrary to popular belief the Texas Constitution does not currently bar the state from imposing and collecting a state income tax on individuals.
To shut the door on a state income tax I was proud to support and pass HJR 38 a constitutional amendment to ban the state legislature from imposing or collecting an income tax.
I promise to keep working hard day and night to deliver the conservative results and sensible solutions you and your family deserve.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you and District 18 in the Texas Senate.
State Senator Lois Kolkhorst represents District 18 in the Texas Senate where she serves as chairman of the Health & Human Services Committee. Also serving on the influential Senate Finance Committee Kolkhorst is the only lawmaker in Texas history to be named twice to the Budget Conference Committee in both the Texas House and Texas Senate.
