Texans are highly concerned with high levels of government spending and growth in government that outstrips Texans ability to pay. SB 4 and HB 3 may make it difficult for the Texas Legislature to stay within the Foundation’s Conservative Texas Budget (CTB) limits.
New taxpayer dollars should only be utilized on programs that demonstrate a high likelihood of improving student outcomes. The STAAR provides Texans with accurate, fair, and independent information about whether our Texas children are performing at grade level in reading and math. The Legislature should direct school boards to establish literacy and math student achievement goals in third and eighth grade and college, career and military readiness goals in high school and require school district efficiency audits prior to maintenance and operations (M&O) elections. Further, new taxpayer funds for public education should be available to school districts that choose to implement locally designed and robust teacher merit pay programs.