Texas school finance bill moves to floor

AUSTIN, Texas, March 2 (UPI) -- A major school finance reform bill has moved to the Texas House floor for debate, but school districts and teachers groups are already attacking it.

The House Public Education Committee recommended the measure for passage late Tuesday in a 6-3 vote along party lines. Republicans, who control the Legislature, voted for the measure and Democrats opposed it.

The bill would pump another $3 billion into the state's $30 billion school finance system over the next two years and cut property taxes by one-third. Democrats and other opponents say it is not enough money to really help schools.

Committee Chairman Kent Grusendorf said the bill provides more money, more taxpayer protection by reducing property taxes and more accountability for how money is spent.

John Cole, president of the Texas Federation of Teachers, said the bill is "the worst thing to happen to Texas school children since chicken pox." He said the bill would drive the best teachers from inner-city schools into the suburbs.

The full house is expected to debate the measure next week.