School Finance Bill Collapses In Texas House

AUSTIN (AP) - A school finance bill needed to balance the proposed state budget has collapsed in the Texas House.

The measure was supposed to relieve the state of about $2 billion in obligations to public school districts. But the bill violated parliamentary rules and was killed late Monday night.

Republican state Sen. Florence Shapiro said it was clear the House was not prepared to reform school finance formulas. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said he hope the changes can be added onto another bill concerning the budget. That would require a special motion this late in the session, which ends May 30.

If the Legislature cannot produce a balanced budget and pass all of the supporting legislation necessary to fund it, the governor will be forced to call a special session.

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