Texas Approves $338B Budget, Reshapes Education Policy

The Texas Legislature has passed a $338 billion budget for 2026-27, allocating substantial funds to education and health services while reducing funding for Operation Lone Star border security to $3.4 billion. Lawmakers approved an additional $10 billion in school property tax relief, raising the homestead exemption and providing benefits for seniors and businesses, subject to voter approval as a constitutional amendment. Public schools will receive a record $8.5 billion, with $4.2 billion earmarked for permanent pay raises for experienced teachers and increased funding for entry-level staff. New legislation also limits faculty authority in university governance, centralizes curriculum decisions under a state-appointed committee, and establishes a governor-appointed ombudsman for university compliance. The session also saw measures passed to allow voluntary prayer in classrooms and to increase parental and local control over school libraries and discipline policies. These actions highlight the Legislature's focus on budget management, education reform, tax relief, and governance restructuring.