The Texas House Public Education Committee spent this week considering House Bill 2, a major school finance bill that would increase funding for public education by $8 billion.
The bill has drawn mixed reactions with supporters arguing it is necessary to address school funding concerns, while critics warn it could make it harder to implement broader reforms—including property tax relief and school choice.
State Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Midlothian) is among those raising concerns about the bill’s impact. In a post on X, Harrison called HB 2 a “liberal trainwreck” and warned that its passage could make it more difficult to lower, let alone eliminate, property taxes.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation has previously noted that Texas public schools are set to receive $93 billion per biennium, when all funding sources are combined.
Meanwhile, in its analysis, Texas Policy Research has called HB 2 “a massive expansion of government-run education” that increases spending without introducing structural reforms.
The Texas Senate has already approved a $4.3 billion teacher pay raise through Senate Bill 26, which would provide salary increases for teachers, particularly in smaller districts. While SB 26 focuses specifically on teacher pay, HB 2 includes various adjustments to school funding formulas, charter school funding, and performance-based teacher incentives.
The timing of HB 2’s consideration is notable, as the House Public Education Committee is set to hear House Bill 3—a school choice proposal—on Tuesday, March 11. Some argue that passing a significant expansion of public school funding before debating school choice could reduce momentum for policies like education savings accounts, which would allow parents to use state funds for private or alternative education options.
Both teacher pay raises and school choice have been deemed emergency items by Gov. Greg Abbott.
As HB 2 moves forward, the debate continues over whether the bill represents a necessary expenditure in public schools or a missed opportunity for broader education reform.
No ads. No paywalls. No government grants. No corporate masters.
Just real news for real Texans.
Support Texas Scorecard to keep it that way!
