Texas Budget (Biennial 2012-13)

Texas House and Senate passed a $172.3 billion, two-year spending bluprint by 97-53 and 20-11 votes, respectively, on May 28, 2011, and sent it to Gov. Rick Perry for his signature. The budget cuts $20 billion from the present levels of spending.

As part of the budget, the school funding plan includes the most controversial elements as legislators proposed to cut $4 billion in school funding over the next two years. On the top of $2 billion per year, an additional $1.4 billion in grant money will also be chopped off. The proposed cut comes despite $830 million from the economic stimulus plan from the federal government. The compromise crafted between the House measure and Senate measure includes a statewide 3.3% cut for the first year and a statewide 5.6% cut for the second year for 1,030 ISDs of Texas. The second year cut would affect higher-spending, wealthier districts more than the midsize, rural districts. Under the current target revenue adjustment, districts such as Lubbock get less than the higher-spending, wealthier districts.

Although House approved the education measure on May 29 by 84-63 measure, Senator Wendy Davis, D-Ft Worth, put up with a spirited filibuster, jeopardizing the education measure at the Senate floor. Gov. Rick Perry on May 30, called a special session starting immediately as the education measure was stalled at the Senate.