Growing voice at Capitol asks where money is for schools

AUSTIN (AP) As House tax writers worked on a collection of bills designed to lower property tax rates, a chorus of voices at the Capitol on Thursday urged improvements for schools and more money for teachers.

Groups representing teachers, principals and school districts said they want a funding system that gives districts discretion in using local property taxes. They also called for a teacher pay raise, restoration of a health insurance stipend for school employees and property tax relief.

"We are here before you today gravely concerned about the future of the children of Texas," said Mike Motheral, legislative chairman for the Texas Association of School Administrators.

Texans are making it known in opinion polls and at the voting booth that educating children is a top priority, Motheral said.

"If not now, when?" he said.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry has said money for teacher raises and additional school expenses must wait until after a property tax reduction bill is approved in the 30-day special legislative session. That's because a tax bill is needed to address a June 1 Texas Supreme Court deadline to fix the unconstitutional school funding system, Perry said.

Debate on a series of property tax relief bills is set to begin next week in the House, where all tax bills must originate.

On Thursday, the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee approved 7-1 a bill that incorporates part of Perry's proposal to revamp and broaden the state's franchise tax. That business tax would replace some of a proposed $6 billion property tax reduction.

Perry's plan, resulting from a bipartisan commission chaired by former Democratic Comptroller John Sharp, also proposes paying for the tax cut by increasing the cigarette tax $1 per pack and dipping into some of the state's $8.2 billion budget surplus.

Some lawmakers are looking for ways to provide more money for teachers and schools.

Sen. Florence Shapiro, a Plano Republican and leader of the Senate Education Committee, put forth a bill that would, among other things, give all teachers a $2,000 pay raise; provide for financial incentives for teachers whose students improve their academic performance; and set up measures to increase high school graduation rates.

Shapiro said her bill would address some academic weaknesses the Texas Supreme Court identified in its ruling, including problems that could result in more lawsuits.

"If we don't take advantage of this time and this opportunity, then shame on us," she said as her committee got going with public testimony on the bill Thursday.

Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who presides over the Senate, is using some of his campaign money to run television commercials urging action on school improvements. He has said property tax relief and school spending need to be tackled in this session.

"Although I can't speak for all 31 senators, it would be my feeling that the majority of the senators are going to want to have a long-term fix, not just a Band-Aid," he said.

Perry, answering reporters' questions after an unrelated event in Dallas, expressed support for Shapiro's proposal.

"I am for it. I think it has great potential," Perry said.

Democrats in the Republican controlled House, meanwhile, said they will support a proposal by Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston, that places equal emphasis on improving schools and reducing property taxes.

Money details are still being worked out, but Hochberg said it will be similar to a proposal he pushed in the House in a special session last year that got support from Democrats and some Republicans, before it was derailed.

The Democrats said cuts to education have been massive since 2003 and that this special session is the time to invest in public schools.

"I'm flabbergasted, frankly, that we can do a school funding session that's not about the schools," Hochberg said.

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Associated Press writers Jim Vertuno and Liz Austin in Austin and Julia Glick in Dallas contributed to this report.