Texas House approves school finance measure

Posted:

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The House has voted to slash Texas public school funding by $4 billion.

Voting largely along party lines, lawmakers approved the cuts Sunday on a 84-63 vote in the Republican-controlled House. The Senate was still debating the bill late Sunday night.

The measure will cut funds to all school districts by about 6% in the first year and rewrites school funding formulas from 2013 to 2017.

Republicans said the cuts were necessary to balance the budget, though Democrats wanted to use money from the state's Rainy Day Fund.

Only 15 Republicans voted against the plan, most of them from rural areas.

Earlier Sunday, Gov. Rick Perry had warned lawmakers that if they didn't finish the key piece of legislation, he would immediately call them back into special session.

Today's Local News HeadlinesToday's Local NewsMore>>
Coca Cola move to help downtown projects
Coca Cola move to help downtown projects
Amarillo, Texas - Coca Cola is out and the downtown revitalization project is in after an agreement has been reached.
Amarillo, Texas - Coca Cola is out and the downtown revitalization project is in after an agreement has been reached.
Moore residents continuing clean up, volunteers needed for future
Moore residents continuing clean up, volunteers needed for future
Amarillo Native Debbie Roger's home barely escaped destruction. Her house is located just three streets over from the path of the EF-5 twister.
Amarillo Native Debbie Roger's home barely escaped destruction. Her house is located just three streets over from the path of the EF-5 twister.
AISD students will have class Memorial Day
AISD students will have class Memorial Day
Many local parents are telling us they're upset because they do not want their children to go to school on Memorial Day.
Many local parents are telling us they're upset because they do not want their children to go to school on Memorial Day.
Possible changes to child safety seats in cars
Possible changes to child safety seats in cars
State lawmakers are hoping to keep children safer in the car by making it easier for prosecutors to file criminal charges against a driver who does not have a child properly strapped into a car or booster.
State lawmakers are hoping to keep children safer in the car by making it easier for prosecutors to file criminal charges against a driver who does not have a child properly strapped into a car or booster.
Texas bills address digital privacy
Texas bills address digital privacy
Amarillo, TX - Two Texas bills would allow law enforcement to issue warrants for electronic communication, but also allow courts to refuse warrants.
Amarillo, TX - Two Texas bills would allow law enforcement to issue warrants for electronic communication, but also allow courts to refuse warrants.
Police make another arrest involving recent counterfeit cases
Police make another arrest involving recent counterfeit cases
Police have made another arrest involving a recent counterfeit case in Amarillo.
Police have made another arrest involving a recent counterfeit case in Amarillo.
Local help headed to Moore, Oklahoma
Local help headed to Moore, Oklahoma
Amarillo, TX - The devastation in Moore, Oklahoma has prompted many people in our community to help.
Amarillo, TX - The devastation in Moore, Oklahoma has prompted many people in our community to help.
How You Can Help: Local donation sites for Moore, OK
How You Can Help: Local donation sites for Moore, OK
A list of local donation sites to help the victims of the Oklahoma tornado.
A list of local donation sites to help the victims of the Oklahoma tornado.
Paul Aguirre Pays It Forward
Paul Aguirre Pays It Forward
In this weeks "Pay It Forward" we were searched out by our latest playmaker Paul. Paul had seen many episodes of "Pay It Forward" and wanted to help out his friend.
In this weeks "Pay It Forward" we were searched out by our latest playmaker Paul. Paul had seen many episodes of "Pay It Forward" and wanted to help out his friend.
Xcel Energy crews helping with recovery efforts
Xcel Energy crews helping with recovery efforts
Amarillo, Texas - Xcel Energy linemen from the panhandle and New Mexico will be helping with recovery efforts in Oklahoma. More than 20,000 residents were left without power.
Amarillo, Texas - Xcel Energy linemen from the panhandle and New Mexico will be helping with recovery efforts in Oklahoma. More than 20,000 residents were left without power.

2011 Texas LegislatureMore>>
Lawmakers' error omits Texas license plate fine
Lawmakers' error omits Texas license plate fine
Updated: Wednesday, November 16 2011 4:16 PM EST2011-11-16 21:16:02 GMT
AUSTIN, Texas - Texas lawmakers passing a flurry of bills on the final day of the Legislative session in May accidentally removed a $200 fine for driving without license plates from the transportation code.
New laws in Texas
New laws in Texas
Updated: Thursday, September 1 2011 1:12 PM EDT2011-09-01 17:12:51 GMT
The speed limit change is just one of about 700 new state laws that take effect Thursday in Texas.
TX Attorney General heads to Supreme Court
TX Attorney General heads to Supreme Court
Updated: Sunday, November 27 2011 10:20 PM EST2011-11-28 03:20:00 GMT
Amarillo, Texas - Attorney General Greg Abbott is taking his fight to block the redistricting maps all the way to the US Supreme Court.
Election day fast approaching
Election day fast approaching
Updated: Sunday, November 6 2011 10:40 PM EST2011-11-07 03:40:16 GMT
Amarillo, Texas - You'll have to chance to vote on Texas constitutional amendments this week.
Running out of time to register to vote
Running out of time to register to vote
Updated: Sunday, October 9 2011 9:57 PM EDT2011-10-10 01:57:47 GMT
Amarillo, Texas - Time is running out if you haven't registered to vote yet.
Seliger hosting town hall meetings
Seliger hosting town hall meetings
Updated: Monday, October 3 2011 12:09 AM EDT2011-10-03 04:09:20 GMT
Amarillo, Texas - State Senator Kel Seliger will be embarking on the second leg of his Town Hall Meetings tour across the Panhandle over the next few weeks.
TX Congressional redistricting trial raises concerns
TX Congressional redistricting trial raises concerns
Updated: Monday, September 12 2011 6:58 PM EDT2011-09-12 22:58:25 GMT
The second week of the Texas Congressional Redistricting Trial begins Monday.
Changes to Texas speed limit laws take effect
Changes to Texas speed limit laws take effect
Updated: Wednesday, August 31 2011 8:48 PM EDT2011-09-01 00:48:45 GMT
Texas speed limits changing immediately; signage to follow
Offices to help jobless closing
Offices to help jobless closing
Updated: Wednesday, August 10 2011 11:49 PM EDT2011-08-11 03:49:00 GMT
AMARILLO, TX - Funding cuts are forcing area offices geared towards helping area residents to close its doors.
New textbooks won't be there for first day of school
New textbooks won't be there for first day of school
Updated: Monday, August 1 2011 11:42 PM EDT2011-08-02 03:42:51 GMT
Amarillo, Texas - Your child's new textbooks will not be there for the first day of school this year.

Texas House approves school finance measure - KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, Sports

Texas House approves school finance measure

Today's Local News HeadlinesToday's Local NewsMore>>

2011 Texas LegislatureMore>>