Official responses to the School Finance ruling:

Gov. Rick Perry issued the following statement:


Gov.Rick Perry“The decision issued today by the Texas Supreme Court is an important victory for Texas schoolchildren and property taxpayers. It reaffirms the conclusion that many Texans have already drawn based on the significant achievement gains Texas students have made in recent years: that our system of education funding is fair and meets or exceeds all constitutional requirements.

“And just as importantly, the court ruling validates the demands of Texas taxpayers who are fed up with property tax bills that climb higher and higher with each passing year and who want and deserve substantial and lasting relief. I am also pleased to see that the court agreed with a position I have long advocated, and that is that simply pouring more money into the same system will not alleviate the property tax problem.

“Our entire tax system needs substantial reform to make it fairer, more modern and that will ensure schools have a reliable stream of revenue. That is why I appointed 24 private sector leaders and experts to the Texas Tax Reform Commission led by John Sharp who will develop tax reform recommendations before the legislature next meets.

“I will also continue to work for real classroom reforms, including higher pay for teachers, stronger accountability for failing schools, and a greater emphasis on college readiness so that our children are prepared to succeed in college and access all the opportunities of tomorrow.

“The court also made note of an important point: while the $10 billion in increased funding Texas has provided for education since 1999 has had a positive and measurable impact on our schools, it is possible for the legislature to implement new reforms that will improve student success without necessarily spending additional dollars.

“The June 1 deadline for legislative action is one that I welcome, and I will call lawmakers into special session at an appropriate time before that deadline. I am ready to resolve this issue. So are many legislators and so are the people of Texas.”

House Speaker Tom Craddick on School Finance ruling:

"I accept today's Texas Supreme Court decision and I am committed to finding a fair, equitable, and constitutional alternative to the current school finance system. With six months given to us to address this issue, I look forward to working closely with Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst to find a solution that will appropriately answer the Court's ruling."

The following statement was issued by Reps. Jim Dunnam, Garnet Coleman and Pete Gallego:


Rep. Garnett Coleman“The Supreme Court told us today, that we have a job to do. The Governor needs to call us back in to special session today so we can pass a school finance plan that fully funds all our schools and provides real property tax relief for all our families, said House Democratic Leader Jim Dunnam.
“The all Republican Texas Supreme Court once again confirmed today that the Republican Legislature failed Texas schoolchildren, failed Texas taxpayers, failed Texas schools, failed Texas parents, failed Texas teachers and failed the test of leadership over the last two years,” said Rep. Pete Gallego (D- Alpine).

“After 2 regular sessions and 3 special sessions, the Republican Leadership punted the Legislature’s duty to the Supreme Court.” Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) continued, “in the ruling handed down today, the Supreme Court confirmed that it is the Legislature’s job to meet this challenge head on and develop a long term solution that is worthy of our school children.” The Republican leadership has taken the wrong approach for the last two years. The Supreme Court warned that the public school system is "drifting toward constitutional inadequacy". Simply swapping out a statewide property tax for another tax won’t fully fund our public schools. The Court noted that our system, although barely adequate now, would face additional court challenges in the near future unless the Legislature and the Governor work for serious long term solutions."

Other selected quotes from Public Officials:

Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston):

Sen. Rodney Ellis"Today's decision gives us a starting point on what must be done to fix our school finance system. It is time for the Governor and the Legislature to finally come together and do what is right for our school kids. "Our most important job is to ensure a quality education for all Texas children. Our goal must be to build the best schools in the nation by increasing state funding for public schools, increasing equity, and creating a fairer and more equitable tax structure. A dramatic increase in sales taxes should not be considered.

Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas):

Rep. Dan Branch"The current system needs fixing, and our state business taxes need reform. Local property taxes are too high, many schools need additional resources and the Robin Hood system needs to be fixed. The Legislature must provide a solution to our public school funding crisis and relief for local property taxpayers."

Rep. Joe Nixon (R-Houston):

“I am very grateful for the Texas Supreme Court ruling today, because it confirms what many of us have believed for a long time – that we can, and must, find a fairer way to finance public schools while reducing property taxes,” said Rep. Nixon. “My constituents elected me to solve tough problems like this, and after several very frustrating months I stand ready to complete this mission. With the right leadership, I am confident we will succeed.”

Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos (D-Austin):

Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos“Disheartening as [the ruling] is, it really isn’t surprising that an all Republican court with a majority of its members appointed by Rick Perry would throw a bone to their suburban base by finding the obvious - that property taxes are too high and that the districts have no effective discretion in setting them - while turning a blind eye to the obvious inequalities in the educational opportunities and experiences of Texas children in different parts of the state."

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