House Appropriations Committee approves budget recommendations

The House Appropriations Committee voted to add $1.5 billion to public education formula funding, for a total increase of approximately $1.7 billion in public education funding for this biennium. This closely matches the Senate version of the budget. During the hearing, Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) offered an amendment that would have automatically dedicated any un-appropriated funds (under the spending cap) to public education. Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) opposed the amendment and it was pulled down. Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee approved its budget bill, Senate Bill 1. Click here to see how both bills could affect education funding.