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.
K-12 Education
What The Atlantic Gets Right — And Wrong — About The Mississippi ‘Miracle’
The highly publicized “Mississippi Miracle” — the implementation of teacher training, literacy coaches, and grade retention for struggling students that skyrocketed the state’s ranking from 49th in 2013 to nineth in 2024 — has created a well-earned outpouring of praise. Here at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, we have taken notice. In fact, the Lone...
April 15, 2026