The Texas House Committee on Government Efficiency will hold a hearing Monday, June 6 at 3 p.m. on a bill (HB 33) by state Rep. Sid Miller (R-Stephenville) creating the Taxpayers’ Savings Grants Program.
The Heartland Institute, San Antonio-based Justice Foundation, and other allies say the plan will save taxpayers in Texas $2 billion over two years – half the amount the state tentatively plans to cut from education spending – and will improve the state’s education system by allowing money to follow the student to the most efficient and successful schools.
The following quote can be used for attribution. For more information about the Taxpayers’ Savings Grants Program, go to TaxpayerSavingsGrants.org or to The Heartland Institute’s Texas education page.
To speak to education policy experts – including Bruno Behrend, director of Heartland’s Center on School Transformation, who is testifying at today’s hearing – contact Jim Lakely, director of communications at The Heartland Institute: [email protected] or 312/731-9364.
“Not only do the Taxpayers’ Savings Grants save Texas upwards of $2 billion, but the program promises to provide dramatic benefits for teachers: greater autonomy at work and, potentially, higher pay.”
Bruno Behrend
Director, Center for School Transformation
The Heartland Institute
[email protected]
312/377-4000
“The Taxpayers’ Savings Grants program is a rare ‘everybody wins’ moment in school reform: Taxpayers save billions of dollars, schools get increased per-student funding, teachers see a more open and competitive job market, and families are empowered with real choice.
“As the state tries to swallow a $4 billion cut in school funding, the Taxpayers’ Savings Grants program lessens the blow by more than half and promises positive effects on academic achievement. Any Texas lawmaker concerned with declining funds for public education has to see the benefit of this novel reform.”
Marc Oestreich
Legislative Specialist for Education Policy
The Heartland Institute
[email protected]
312/377-4000
The Heartland Institute is a 27-year-old national nonprofit organization with offices in Chicago, Illinois; Washington, DC; Austin, Texas; and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.heartland.org or call 312/377-4000.
Jim Lakely is the Vice President and Director of Communications of The Heartland Institute.
