Patrick Rose

Last week, I testified before Chairwoman Lois Kolkhorst’s (R-Brenham) House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education to make the case for new state dollars for our public schools.  Our coalition’s request to the subcommittee is for $106 million to extend the mid-size adjustment to the 48 Chapter 41 districts across Texas, for the 2010-11 biennium.  For Wimberley and Dripping Springs ISDs, that would result in a $1,105,879 and $1,091,075 difference in revenue respectively for 2010.

Joining me at the hearing was Dr. Darrell Floyd, President of the Texas Association of Mid-Size Schools (TAMS).   His organization is one of seven statewide leading education groups that have joined our efforts. 

TAMS is recognized for its leadership in creating the mid-size adjustment during the mid-90s—I am honored to have them as a partner in our effort and thankful that they have made this a priority on their legislative agenda.

"We feel the time is right to right that wrong," said Dr. Floyd.  "Rep. Rose is correct in that our organization is fully supportive of righting that wrong."

Robin Hood is broken when communities like Wimberley and Dripping Springs have to send money to the state.  The first step to bringing equity to our school districts and taxpayers is to extend the mid-size adjustment as well as further increase the state’s share of funding for our public schools.

During the hearing, I told my House colleagues that I believe we have a unique opportunity to right this wrong next session—we have a budget surplus to fund it. 

It is a fairness issue that must be addressed.  The 48 Texas school districts that are Chapter 41 and mid-sized, I believe, are receiving an unfair deal today.  It would be fair to fund $106 million in new money next biennium for those districts so that they receive the benefit that other mid-size districts do that are Chapter 42 today.

Working with Chair Kolkhorst, Chairman Dan Branch (R-Dallas) of the House Select Committee on Higher and Public Education Finance, over the last year, as well as parents, teachers, students, elected officials and education organizations across this state, we have built the coalition we need to be successful next session.  Throughout testimony before these two committees, our momentum has continued to grow. 

"One of my favorite days this spring was spending time in Wimberley.  They were really wonderful people and they very eloquently talked about their needs," said Chairwoman Kolkhorst.  "We need to be sensitive to this particular issue (mid-size adjustment) and make some corrections."

"It was helpful to see first-hand the conditions at Wimberley, and I support the effort to extend the mid-size adjustment to all mid-sized districts," said Chairman Branch.

Chairman Branch’s endorsement is a testament to the efforts of many community leaders in Wimberley and Dripping Springs.  I want to thank each of you for writing letters and taking time to visit with Rep. Branch, Rep. Kolkhorst and me during our campus tours.  Your willingness to share how the current system of school finance is hurting our schools has been—and continues to be—invaluable to our efforts.

I closed my remarks to the subcommittee by sharing my commitment to appraisal caps legislation.  Closing corporate loopholes and establishing a fairer, broad business tax was the first step—in order for property tax cuts passed by the Legislature to be recognized by homeowners, we must stop out-of-control appraisals.  That is why I support legislation to cap appraisal increases on homesteads at 5% per year.

I hope you will join my efforts to fund the mid-size adjustment for all Chapter 41 schools and to pass strong appraisal caps—I need your help to be successful next session.