HB 9 would increase contributions by taxpayers collected at the state level from 6.8 percent to 7.8 percent in 2020 (and progressively higher to 8.8 percent in 2026) to decrease the funding period from 87 years to 30 years, respectively. This increase in contributions would cost taxpayers $684 million in the 2020-21 biennium and more thereafter. While this improves the financial soundness of TRS if the assumed rate of return is met, HB 9 does not solve the structural problems of TRS and adds additional costs to taxpayers of $658 million for a 13th payment to retirees in 2020.
Overspending is what hinders Texas public education
Steve Allison, an outgoing Republican state lawmaker, ramped up the school funding debate earlier this month with a commentary in the Express-News, “Abbott duty bound to call special session on school funding” (June 9). Are Texas schools actually underfunded? Let’s look at the reality. Texas taxpayers give enormous amounts of money to public schools. According to...