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Lawmakers and lobbyists began planning for the 82nd legislative session as soon as the 81st gaveled to a close in early June 2009. While policy issues– the “what” of a session – are already under discussion, the spotlight for now is on the “who.” Who will sit in the governor’s office, who will comprise the House and Senate of the 82nd Texas Legislature and the State Board of Education – and how can educators have an impact on the process?

The single greatest factor in determining education policy for not just 2011, but the next 10 years, will be the outcome of the 2010 primary and general elections. Lawmakers chosen in the March primary and November general elections will likely address school finance and the always-accompanying “education reform” next session, but of equal import will be the legislative redrawing of boundary lines for political districts (congressional, state House and Senate, and State Board of Education) that occurs every 10 years, known as redistricting.


Redistricting
Redistricting is the arduous process of determining the border lines of political districts, based on the most recent census figures with consideration of political and
demographic factors. Such a dry description of such a volatile process! For the months leading to and during a redistricting session, legislators are in a battle for their political lives, working to keep their districts drawn in a manner favorable to their re-election, and attempting to ensure their political party holds a majority of seats in the state for the next decade.

In 2001, Democrats controlled the Texas House with a 78-72 majority, while Republicans held a narrow 16-15 lead in the Senate. Legislative redistricting that year completely reversed Democratic fortunes in the House, and after the 2002 election season, Republicans held the Senate 19-12, and the House 88-62. (Congressional redistricting was delayed from 2001 to 2003, resulting in the infamous special sessions that saw House Democrats flee to Ardmore, OK, and Senate Democrats “vacation” in Albuquerque, NM, in protest over the redistricting process.)

In 2011, there will be attempts by both parties to wrest control, particularly of the House which is now narrowly held by Republicans (77-73, after the recent switch of Rep. Chuck Hopson to the Republican party).


School finance
The 2011 session is also expected to be a “school finance” session, though the absence of a court order to restructure the system could tempt legislators to postpone the inevitable. The financing system put in place in 2006 included structural deficiencies from the very beginning. The heralded property tax reductions
that lowered the maximum operations tax rate to $1.00 were not fully offset by the new business taxes that were intended to make up the difference in state revenue.

The gap between needed and actual revenue for public schools was compensated for by a state budget surplus in 2007, federal stimulus funds in 2009, and increases in local property appraisals both years. But 2011 is not likely to bring either a state surplus or 2009-level federal funds, and in fact a multi-billion dollar state budget deficit is possible. Lawmakers seeking re-election in potentially unfamiliar, re-drawn districts may be loathe to increase state taxes to shore up the education budget deficit.

Finance reform inevitably leads to policy reform, and educators can expect yet another round of proposed changes to the accountability system, compensation and
benefits, legal protections, teacher certification and more.

Non-legislative races to watch
The Republican primary for governor pits incumbent Rick Perry against challenger Kay Bailey Hutchison. Several candidates, including Felix Alvarado, Kinky Friedman, Farouk Shami and Bill White, have announced their intent to run for the Democratic nomination, though that race has yet to garner the level of media coverage generated by the two high-profile Republican candidates. Because this article was written prior to the end of the filing period and more candidates may yet enter (or drop out of ) the race, we will have complete candidate listings available on TCTA’s TexasTeachersVote.org in January.

Elections for the State Board of Education have not typically generated much excitement, but educators should keep a close eye on several SBOE races. Recent
decisions relating to Permanent School Fund management and investments, arguments over the English language arts and social studies TEKS, and the Senate vote against confirmation of Don McLeroy (Gov. Perry’s selection to chair the SBOE) have drawn public concern and a fresh set of challengers to the arena. Several members of the religious conservative bloc on the Board face more moderate opponents in the Republican primary; a writer for the Texas Tribune described these races as “the fight for the soul of the Texas GOP.” Some candidates surviving the primary may also see challenges in the general election in November.

Be informed and involved
Texas educators have a stake in the upcoming elections and need to be informed and involved. As the filing period closes in early January and the campaigns heat up prior to the March election day, TCTA’s TexasTeachersVote.org will include comprehensive information about candidates, races and steps members can take to make a difference in the elections.

Posted: 01/26/10