Education bill isn't perfect, but it's an improvement
STATE REP. CHUCK HOPSON Austin

STATE REP.CHUCK HOPSON

I voted for an amendment to increase public school employee pay and an amendment to prohibit the state from using public money to pay for private school vouchers.

The votes came during more than 18 hours of debate, and 200 amendments to Texas' $150 billion state budget bill (House Bill 1). The teacher pay amendment, which was opposed by House leadership, passed 90 to 56. The ban on vouchers, which was also opposed by House leadership, passed anyway by a vote of 136 to 5.

Ensuring that Texas children have access to top-notch public schools is one of my top priorities. Our state must do everything possible to attract the best and brightest educators. I voted to provide an across-the-board pay raise for every public school teacher, counselor, librarian and school nurse because a great education starts with them.

I am concerned about the overall priorities in the version of the budget bill that was debated Thursday. Still, I am pleased by the level debate and the civility of the House members.

I support a state budget that fully funds the children's health insurance program, improves access to higher education, strengthens our public schools and provides the necessary funds to ensure Texas children are secure now and in the future. I believe we came up with a pretty good document. Now we wait to see what the Senate does.

In addition to voting for an across-the-board $800-$900 per year salary increase for public school employees, I voted as part of an overwhelming majority to reject private school vouchers.

Private school vouchers drain money away from public schools. More than four-fifths of the House agreed that the most effective way to have the best public schools is not to rob them but to invest in them.

The numerous amendments adopted Thursday helped alleviate some of the concerns about the initial shortcomings of the bill.

I voted in favor of the amended bill and will work with Sen. Eltife and Sen. Nichols to continue to improve the bill as it moves through the Senate. The budget bill will then go to a conference committee, where appointed members of the House and Senate will iron out the differences between their two versions.

We made a lot of ground on Thursday. We started with a bill that had serious shortcomings, but we finished with a bill that contained some great provisions, like more funding for the Texas State Railroad and an across-the-board teacher salary increase. The bill isn't perfect, but our amendments were a major improvement."

Rep. Hopson represents District 11, including Cherokee Co.