In a landmark move for public education, lawmakers in the Texas House and Senate have reached a bipartisan agreement on House Bill 2, delivering the largest single increase in school funding in the state’s history. The $8.5 billion package aims to improve classroom resources, raise teacher pay, and strengthen school operations statewide.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) praised the legislation as a result of “countless meetings and thoughtful discussions,” emphasizing its focus on teacher compensation and student outcomes.
House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) called it a “landmark win for Texas students, educators, and families,” noting that the final bill incorporates input from both chambers and parties.
The bill allocates $4.2 billion toward permanent pay raises for teachers and staff, setting a record for Texas. It also expands incentive pay and teacher training programs to attract and retain high-quality educators. To help districts manage rising operational costs, $1.3 billion has been set aside for insurance, utilities, and contributions to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS).
HB 2 includes nearly $2 billion to update special education formulas and invests in full-day pre-K, early learning interventions, and career and technical education. Another $430 million is earmarked for enhancing school safety infrastructure.
Education leaders and lawmakers from across the political spectrum applauded the bill’s scope.
Sen. Brandon Creighton (R), Chair of the Senate’s K-16 Education Committee, highlighted its classroom-centered focus, saying the plan “empowers educators, invests in students, and secures the future of our state’s economy.”
House Education Chair Brad Buckley (R), the bill’s author, underscored the bill’s targeted priorities, calling it “the largest teacher pay raise in history.”
Sen. Royce West (D) emphasized the importance of separate funding for support staff, while Sen. José Menéndez (D) celebrated the overdue investment in special education. Rep. Trent Ashby (R) noted HB 2’s critical impact on rural Texas, which often faces the tightest margins and highest operating costs.
Rep. Diego Bernal (D) summed up the sweeping nature of the legislation, “If the Legislature were to pass just one of the major components in HB 2, that would be a transformative victory. But HB 2 delivers all of these reforms and more.”
With broad legislative support and record-setting investment levels, House Bill 2 is now poised to usher in a new era for Texas public education, strengthening classrooms, supporting educators, and addressing long-standing challenges across the state.
