Texas PTA applauds Sen. Florence Shapiro for her leadership this session. Sen. Shapiro worked with Texas PTA to pass meaningful legislation that will help families in Texas for years to come. HB 1801 expands the sales tax holiday to include basic school supplies. Many Texans are struggling during the current economic challenge. Passage of this important bill will provide some relief for struggling Texas families.

"This important piece of legislation will offer relief to families struggling to prepare their children for the start of school. This bill will free up money families need to buy lunch tickets, clothes, and to pay for doctor’s checkups or haircuts. More Texas children will start school with the necessary supplies thanks to this bill," Sen. Shapiro said.

HB 1801 exempts paper, pencils, pens, markers, glue, tape, rulers, calculators, and several other items from sales tax on the sales tax holiday weekend each fall.

"This is truly a wonderful day! Texas children will now be better equipped for school and will no longer have to attend school without the necessary supplies for success," stated Kyle Ward, Executive Director of Texas PTA. "Texas PTA applauds Sen. Shapiro for her hard work and leadership throughout this process," he said.

Texas PTA is the largest grassroots organization in Texas with 600,000 members - parents, teachers and others who have a special interest in children, youth, families and schools. Texas PTA is a noncommercial, nonsectarian-nonpartisan organization that does not endorse any candidate or political party. For more information on Texas PTA, visit www.txpta.org or contact the state office at 800-TALK-PTA.