Gov. Greg Abbott Signs School Funding Bill, But Teachers Still Waiting on Pay Raise Details

AUSTIN -- Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed into law the Legislature's prized school funding overhaul -- but teachers and school staff standing by to celebrate the news said they still don't know what sized raise they should expect from the new law. "I can't overstate the magnitude of the law I'm about to sign," Abbott said at a bill signing ceremony at Parmer Lane Elementary School in Pflugerville ISD. "This one law does more to advance education in Texas than any law I've seen passed in my adult life in the state of Texas." The law infuses more money into schools and teacher salaries, while lowering school property tax rates. Abbott said the bill funds will lower school property tax bills by an average of 5% in the first year and 10% the second year. The Legislature, however, did not identify a revenue source to fund the property tax cuts beyond two years.   Continue reading...