(AUSTIN, 1/13/25) — The Texas Legislature will begin the 2025 legislative session on January 14 with a $24 billion surplus, Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Monday. The size of the surplus creates an opportunity for legislators to make needed investments in public education.
Additionally, the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund is expected to reach a total of $28.5 billion — a historically high amount.
A shortage of funding over the past several years forced many school districts to reduce academic programs and close some campuses. Schools have also struggled to retain the teaching workforce they need. According to the Legislative Budget Board, education funding has decreased $9.8 billion since 2020 when adjusted for population growth and inflation.
Texas School Alliance Executive Director HD Chambers released the following statement regarding the Comptroller’s surplus announcement:
“We urge legislators to listen to the concerns of parents across Texas and invest surplus dollars in public education. Legislators can make needed investments in academic excellence, special education, student safety, and teacher retention. The dollars are there to reverse the financial hardship that our public schools have experienced and invest in more than 5 million public school students. With a healthy budget surplus and widespread concern about the impact of funding shortages over the last few years, legislators should make students in our public schools their top priority.”
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The Texas School Alliance (TSA) represents 48 of the largest school districts in Texas. TSA districts educate 41% of the state’s students.
