Welcome to RISD’s Legislative Corner for 2025, where we will keep the RISD community updated on what’s happening in the Texas Legislature with regard to public education and Richardson ISD.
The 89th Texas Legislative Session began on Tuesday, January 14, and to date, more than 500 pieces of legislation (out of 2,400 bills) have been filed that relate to education.
We have high hopes that this session will bring a positive focus on public education by making changes to outdated laws, improving other laws, and appropriating funding in a way that will benefit both students and teachers.
Our RISD board spent time last fall developing priorities for this legislative session that include:
· Making improvements to the discipline code
· Providing an increase to the basic allotment for per-student funding
· Increasing funding for school safety, special education, workforce development
· Helping with teacher retention, recruitment and compensation, benefits
See the full Board of Trustees 2025 Legislative Priorities.
RISD trustees, superintendent, and staff members have met with legislators representing RISD to discuss district priorities and will be actively working with them to improve public education for RISD and Texas.
Trustees will also receive a presentation at the Jan. 16 Board meeting to preview the legislative session. Click here to watch Board meeting videos.
Legislative Corner will be published periodically throughout the 89th legislative session. For more information about RISD’s legislative involvement, please visit the legislative page here. Other resources include Texas Legislature Online (TLO) – find legislation (bills), committee hearings, legislative member info, and more; The Quorum Report – sign-up for “Daily Buzz” or a listing of political news articles; Texas Tribune – online daily news, also a data dashboard for education.
