Statement from Senate Education Chair Senator Shapiro, District 8:

Regarding the West Orange Cove Public School Finance Supreme Court Ruling on Tuesday, November 22, 2005

"In our state government system of checks and balances, today's Supreme Court ruling is welcome. Now the Legislature needs to complete its task--- so our schools and teachers can properly educate our children and our property taxpayers can get relief.

This State Supreme Court ruling tells us something we have known for a long time--our school finance system has evolved into an unconstitutional statewide property tax. That is what the Legislature is charged to fix by June 1st and we will.

Additionally, I believe the Legislature would be remiss not to take this opportunity to make the needed reforms to ensure efficiency, adequacy, and equity in our public education system for the future. While such system reforms may not necessarily require additional funding, they will require a commitment on the part of the Legislature and the citizens of this State to do what is right for our children.

I remain committed to returning to Austin when the Governor calls the next special session. While it's not my call as to when the Legislature will reconvene, it is my duty to be prepared and I will continue working with school districts, teachers, parents, local businesses, the Governor's Citizen's Tax Reform Commission, and members of both legislative chambers to craft a fair and proper overall school reform proposal.

At the end of the day, the Legislature will replace the current unconstitutional school property tax system and create an efficient, fairer, and more equitable school funding system for excellence in the classroom and proper teacher benefits.

Above all, we want nothing more than to solve school finance and to make Texas a better place to live and to educate our children."

--State Senator Florence Shapiro, District 8
Chair, Senate Education Committee