Abbott Signs House Bill 2: $8.5B Boost for Texas Public Schools
Salado, TX (FOX 44) — Governor Greg Abbott signed a historic school funding bill into law during a ceremony in Salado.
The $8.5 billion measure, called House Bill 2, establishes dedicated funding streams for public schools to use on targeted initiatives.
The funding includes $1.3 billion for insurance and teacher pensions, $4.2 billion for teacher pay raises, over $2.2 billion for special education, childcare, and school safety, and $800 million for rural schools.
The new school funds are restricted to specific uses, such as teacher pay raises limiting flexibility.
'House Bill 2 ensures that our schools are funded better than ever. Teacher pay, instead of funding, are at all-time highs, reading and math performance is on an upward trajectory. And students will be better prepared for the workforce than ever before,' Governor Greg Abbott said.
In contrast, increasing the basic allotment would have allowed schools to spend the money as they saw fit.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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