FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                  Contact: Jennie Kennedy  

May 13, 2016

Rep. Celia Israel Disappointed in Court Ruling Finding School Finance System Unconstitutional, Calls for Immediate Special Session

Austin -  Rep. Celia Israel (D-Travis County) is asking Gov. Abbott to call a special session to fully fund public education in light of today's Texas Supreme Court decision upholding the current woefully inadequate school finance system.

"I am extremely disappointed in the ruling today from the Texas Supreme Court. It was especially surprising to see the court label our system 'Byzantine'  and  'meeting minimal standards'  at the same time." Israel said. "Texas deserves better.  We cannot continue to crow about our economic growth and continue to act as if a 'Byzantine' system serves our children and our future well. I call upon Governor Abbott to immediately call a Special Session so Texas can fully invest in its education system."

Israel expressed disappointment in the Court's ruling striking down Judge John Dietz's finding lawmakers ignored the real costs of education and the impact of the significant cuts made during the 2011 Session, all the while raising standards for Texas students and requiring schools to provide more elaborate programs.  The Court's ruling appears to leave the Legislature as the last word as to whether Texas is fulfilling its constitutional mandate to "make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public schools."

When adjusted for inflation, per student spending has remained relatively flat over the past 16 years.  Despite that trend, Texas schools in 2017 will receive $381 less per student than they did in 2003. It would take an additional $3.5 billion next biennium just to get our schools where they were 14 years ago. At the same time, state support for public schools continues to fall behind the cost of inflation, does not account for changes in student needs or academic standards, and fails to fund equitably between districts.

"It's time for big ideas and Texas-sized leadership," Israel said, noting her constituents will no longer accept the "business as usual" approach to education funding, even with the Court's ruling. "I am confident that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will work together to make a public school system that provides the resources needed for all students to be successful, no matter where they live or what their background. I am ready to get to work."

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