US Rep. Lloyd Doggett backs Austin ISD proposed tax rate increase

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, on Monday backed a tax rate increase that, if passed, would infuse $41 million annually into the Austin Independent School District. The district said the rate increase, also known as Prop A, would raise teacher pay and reduce the district's multi-million dollar deficit.

The district said the tax rate increase would also increase the average homeowner's property taxes by more than $400 annually.

"It is true that literally, the future of public education in Texas is in the hands of all of us who vote in this upcoming election," Doggett, who has grandchildren at three different Austin ISD schools, said.

During a rally in support of Prop A, Doggett criticized Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over the current state of public education funding and his push for taxpayer dollars to go to private schools.

"We wouldn't be in this situation had that not occurred, but these school trustees made the tough decision to say 'We are not going to let public education deteriorate in our community.' We are stepping up. We are going to find the finances locally for what the state failed to do," Doggett said.

KXAN contacted Abbott's office but has not heard back on Doggett's comments. In a previous statement on school districts facing budget shortfalls, Abbott's office said, "Governor Abbott has provided more funding for public education than any Texas governor, signed into law one of the biggest teacher pay raises in our state's history—over $1 billion in annual investment—and established the Teacher Incentive Allotment, which puts teachers on a pathway to earning a six-figure salary while prioritizing high-need areas and rural schools."

A KXAN analysis of Central Texas school districts' budgets found that the majority were facing budget shortfalls for the 2024-25 school year, varying from tens of thousands to millions. School district leaders who managed to pass balanced or surplus budgets said it came at the expense of providing more significant raises and repairing infrastructure.

According to Austin ISD officials, if passed, Prop A is expected to generate $171 million -- most of which will be redistributed to other school districts through the state program commonly referred to as Robinhood or Recapture.

Austin ISD Trustee Lynn Boswell said that despite recapture, the rate increase would still mean more money for the district and the preservation of more programs. Boswell said on Monday that while voters weigh whether to pass Prop A, a committee is working to identify an additional $92 million in cuts over the next two to three years.