One session ends, another begins

The 82nd regular legislative session ended on Monday, May 30. The first called “special” session of the 82nd Legislature began on Tuesday, May 31.

Precipitating the special session was the death of a key fiscal matters bill in the regular session. SB 1811 was crucial to the balancing of the state budget; it included provisions to defer expenditures and raise necessary revenue that had already been factored into the budget (which had passed both chambers and moved to the governor’s desk). SB 1811 had also become the vehicle for school finance restructuring, which was needed because of the $4 billion in cuts to public school funding.

Sunday night, on the final day for considering bills in the Senate, Sen. Wendy Davis filibustered SB 1811 to death, noting her concerns about the inadequate level of funding for public education and the need to “do better.” Her filibuster was supported by a handful of other senators (enough to ensure that the bill could not be brought up under a rule suspension on Monday) and some organizations. Unfortunately, this action forced a special session, which re-opened the door to all of the harmful education legislation – including HB 400 and similar “deregulation” legislation, expansion of charter schools, private school vouchers, and more - that teachers had escaped during the regular session.

Governor Rick Perry called a special session to begin the day after the regular session ended. The special session agenda, which is determined by the governor, includes the necessary fiscal legislation and “measures that will allow school districts to operate more efficiently.” This phrase is general enough to encompass a large number of education proposals, and is likely intended to include deregulation provisions such as those in HB 400 (salary reductions, relaxation of teacher legal protections, etc.).

Several deregulation bills, and at least one voucher proposal, have been filed and are quickly being scheduled for committee hearings. TCTA is opposing these bills, and is asking our members to contact your representatives to let them know of your concerns. It will be much more difficult to fight this legislation in the special session, so we will need your help.

Be sure to check the “Capitol Updates” section of TCTA’s website for the latest developments, as bills are being fast-tracked through this 30-day session.