Coalition of 700 school districts support Texas House tax incentive effort, but asks for some key changes
A coalition of roughly 700 school districts from around the state on Friday morning announced their support the Texas House's push for tax incentive legislation. House Bill 5 by Chairman Todd Hunter is a top priority for leadership. But in supporting the overall effort, the coalition of school districts would like to collaborate with lawmakers to make some key changes. The districts are members of the Texas Association of Rural Schools , the Texas School Alliance , the Texas Rural Education Association , the Fast Growth School Coalition , the Texas Association of Midsize Schools , and the Texas Association of Community Schools .
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A coalition of roughly 700 school districts from around the state on Friday morning announced their support the Texas House's push for tax incentive legislation. House Bill 5 by Chairman Todd Hunter is a top priority for leadership. But in supporting the overall effort, the coalition of school districts would like to collaborate with lawmakers to make some key changes.
The districts are members of the Texas Association of Rural Schools , the Texas School Alliance , the Texas Rural Education Association , the Fast Growth School Coalition , the Texas Association of Midsize Schools , and the Texas Association of Community Schools .
“As you know, school districts' success depends on the jobs and revenue that local business investments bring to the community and the state economy. To remain competitive, Texas must have a new economic development program in place,” the districts said.
In a letter to Chair Hunter and Speaker Dade Phelan , the districts said a replacement program for the now expired Chapter 313 program should include the following:
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First, we urge you to give public schools and their school boards the authority to negotiate economic terms and to have the final say on prospective projects as the parties most directly affected by projects and tax limitations. ·
Second, we urge you to provide financial stability by protecting districts from costs incurred during any application process and from the loss of state funding through the formula system as a result of granting the multiple-year limitations. ·
Third, we urge you to allow districts access to necessary resources to better serve the district and its constituents. ·
Finally, we urge you to exclude onerous restrictions on types of qualifying businesses and instead allow local communities to exercise control over which businesses they compete to attract. “As the top state for new jobs, economic development, exports, and Fortune 500 headquarters, we must maintain a competitive business climate. The voters we all represent believe temporary property tax limitations make sense to ensure we attract top-tier investments and deliver long-term results,” the districts said.
Their letter can be read in full here .