Houston Democrats

The plan closely tracks the "Learn and Live Plan" House Democrats proposed during the regular session as a responsible public policy approach that rises above politics to do what's best for our schools and the vast majority of Texas homeowners. The plan earned bipartisan support on the House floor, despite lacking support from the Republican leadership at that time.

"Just as we did during the regular session, we have worked to develop a responsible school finance solution that is better for all Texans," said Rep. Scott Hochberg (D-Houston). "Our plan would provide more resources to Texas schools and greater tax savings to the vast majority of Texas homeowners than the bills that passed the House and Senate."

"Like most Texans, we are tired of listening to our leaders blame each other," Rep. Jim Dunnam (D-Waco) said. "During the past regular session, we saw evidence that a bipartisan coalition exists on the House floor that wants to do what's best for our neighborhood schools, and it's time to open up the process to let a bipartisan legislative majority craft a school finance plan that is worthy of our school children and local taxpayers."

"Absent partisan political pressure, a plan that is better for both public schools and homeowners in 90% of house districts should pass with overwhelming support," said Rep. Pete P. Gallego (D-Alpine).

Rep. Hochberg said the plan outlined by House Democrats will be filed as legislation and encouraged legislators and Texans, regardless of political party, to examine the details of a plan that would:

* Provide a responsible, equitable school finance system that approaches 100% equity and would increase state education funding to cover at least 50% of the cost of our children's education;
* Raise teacher pay from 38th nationally to the national average and restore the teacher health care benefits cut in 2003 by the Republican leadership;
* Increase funding for Comp. Ed. programs for at-risk students and bilingual education, mentoring programs, Pre-K and 9th grade initiatives to help children who need help the most stay in school and graduate;
* Provide funds for up-to-date textbooks and technology essential to learning;
* Reduce class sizes with new facility funding for classrooms;
* Continue funding for gifted and talented programs;
* Provide across-the-board property tax cuts and additional targeted tax cuts for Texas families by tripling the homestead tax exemption to $45,000 and lowering the maximum tax rate from $1.50 to $1.25 per $100 valuation.