Originally delivered on 1/24/2019 2:30 pm

SUBJECT: Legislative Newsletter 1_24_19



January 24, 2019


 


Good news! All of the Plano ISD legislators have said that improving public school finance will be a top priority during this legislative session. According to the Texas PTA, the Texas House of Representatives' initial budget proposal shows an increase of $7 billion for public school funding over the next 2 years, and the Texas Senate's initial budget proposal shows an increase of $4.3 billion. Read an article about it.

Plano ISD Board of Trustees President Missy Bender was recently interviewed about the need for school finance reform. Watch the video.

The final report is available from the Texas Commission on Public School Finance. Read the report. These are some of the recommendations.

  • Better balance the state and local share of funding
  • Refresh the allotments
  • Invest more in underperforming student groups
  • Reduce reliance on recapture
  • Add new funding
  • Improve the funding formula

Some Texas students created a petition requesting that legislators increase public education funding. View the petition.


 


Collin County may soon get new voting machines! Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet will discuss voting machines at a League of Women Voters public forum on Saturday, January 26, at the Schimelpfenig Library in Plano. Networking begins at 10:30, and the program begins at 11:00. This topic is expected to be on the January 28 County Commissioners Court agenda.


 

 

The May 4 local election will include Plano ISD Board of Trustees places 4-5-6-7, which are currently held by Yoram Solomon, David Stolle, Jeri Chambers, and Missy Bender. The election for Place 6 is for the remaining 2 years of the term, and the others are 4 year terms. The last day to file for a place on the ballot is February 15.


 


The 86th session legislative committees have been announced. Senator Angela Paxton is a member of the Senate Committee on Education, so Plano ISD's interests should be well represented.


 


PTA Rally Day will take place on Monday, February 25. PTA members will travel to Austin for a day trip from ~6am-~8pm. There will be topic sessions in the morning, a rally on the capitol steps at 11:30, and meetings with legislators in the afternoon. Contact Ruth at legislative@planopta.org to participate.


 


If you would like to receive Texas PTA's legislative updates, sign up for the Under The Dome newsletter.


 


A list of bills related to the PISD PTA's legislative priorities is available on the PISD PTA website. Check there for updates about the bills' progress throughout the legislative session.


 

 

Everyone is invited to become a PTA member, regardless of whether or not you have children in the district. Your membership makes PTA's advocacy voice louder. Join on the Plano Council of PTAs website.