Thread by @txcomptroller

Feeling like you should have taken a prereq on Texas school finance for today's #TribFest20 session? We've got you covered.

School finance is the state's biggest expenditure. Here's a primer on Texas public education funding pre-#HB3: bit.ly/35yV2Uk & here's a recap on how the 86th #txlege reformed school finance: bit.ly/3hBc0UE

Recalling school finance reform challenges from the last #txlege, @DanHuberty said: We knew there was going to be some budget uncertainty. #TribFest20

This year, #txlege faces a tighter situation. In July, Comptroller @Glenn_Hegar issued a revised CRE, forecasting a $4.6 billion shortfall for FY21. The FY22-23 BRE remains a big question mark for legislators. bit.ly/3hvKS9s #BREMonday

School finance isn't just about funding schools and teacher pay. TRS health benefits faced a growing shortfall for years. @DanHuberty noted: We’ve been fighting for years relative to the health insurance costs that we are running through @TRSofTexas.

Need some background on TRS-Care and long-term funding obligations? We've -- you guessed it -- got you covered #TribFest20. Read up on TRS-Care before 85th #txlege: comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal…

With the passage of HB 3976, the 85th #txlege took significant action to maintain the solvency of TRS-Care. Here's a summary: comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal…

Moderator @AliyyaSwaby asked about the future of full day pre-k. #HB3 provided an estimated $835 million in additional state funding for early education programs for the 2019-20 school year. #FiscalNotes has the details: bit.ly/2VumjlF

"Public education is a huge priority for us." - @DanHuberty
 
Texas is a youthful state, which can be an advantage and a challenge. Compare our < 18 population with the rest of the country: comptroller.texas.gov/economy/texind…

What else was covered at the #TribFest20 school finance session? Silver linings about COVID. @SenLarryTaylor: I really think at the end of COVID our school system is going to be better, because we’re going to have more technology... Every kid is going to have one-to-one devices.

Just how many Texans had personal computers pre-COVID? comptroller.texas.gov/economy/texind…

We’ll be talking more about the main issues for the 87th #txlege in upcoming issues of #FiscalNotes. Subscribe here: public.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXCOM…

Tomorrow, we'll be back at #TribFest20, sharing highlights and resources for The Budget and the 87th Legislature ➡️ festival.texastribune.org/schedule/60