Bill Caption

Relating to funding for an open-enrollment charter school based on certain ad valorem taxes collected by school districts.

Fiscal Notes

State

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1900, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($427,400,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.

Local Government

No significant fiscal implication.

Bill Analysis

SB 1900 would amend Education Code to entitle open-enrollment charter holders to additional funding per student in average daily attendance equal to the state average amount of revenue per student collected by school districts under Sections 46.003(a) and 46.032(a), Education Code.

Vote Recommendation Notes

One of the original selling points for charter schools was that they would be less expensive, more efficient, and offer a higher quality education than traditional public schools. So far in the Texas experience, these expectations have been affirmed.

Financing charter schools in much the same way as public schools would undermine a major part of what makes charters unique and beneficial. 

Furthermore, the current school finance system is the subject of an ongoing legal case. The legislature should avoid making major school finance decisions while that case remains pending. 

For these reasons, and due to the nearly half billion dollar fiscal note, we oppose SB 1900 on limited government grounds.