Bill Caption

Relating to funding for an open-enrollment charter school based on the guaranteed level of state and local funds provided to school districts through the existing debt allotment.

Fiscal Notes

From the LBB: a negative impact of ($410,908,004) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019, assuming the bill takes effect. This legislation would only take effect if a specific appropriation is provided in a general appropriations act of the 85th Legislature.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

SB 457 would amend the Education Code to add that in addition to open-enrollment charter school funding, a charter holder would be entitled to receive funding per student in average daily attendance in an amount equal to the guaranteed level of state and local funds.

Vote Recommendation Notes

While we are concerned about the large fiscal note we also would point out that it is the constitutional responsibility of the state to fund public education and open-enrollment charter schools are part of the public education system. That being the case it is not inherently apparent that making this funding change is either an offense to our liberty principles or bad public policy despite the fiscal note. It should be further noted that charter schools receive less foundation school funding than traditional neighborhood schools and do not have taxing authority. For these reasons we are neutral on SB 457.