Teachers in Texas could see a pay raise under a bill unanimously approved by the Senate Education K-16 Committee. Senator Brandon Creighton of Conroe, who chairs the committee, introduced the bill that aims to create a separate teacher-salary-dedicated line item apart from the basic allotment. This move is intended to ensure sustained support for increased teacher salaries. "In creating that, we’re creating a budget culture of permanence and a budget culture that makes it very clear when that allotment cup is full, and when it’s not," said Creighton.
The legislation is part of Governor Greg Abbott's emergency agenda, allowing immediate action on teacher pay. Creighton mentioned that SB 26 is only an initial step in improving conditions for public school teachers in Texas.
The proposed Teacher Retention Allotment would focus solely on classroom teacher salaries, with nearly $5 billion allocated for this purpose in the Senate budget. Of this amount, 80 percent would be dedicated to pay raises, establishing automatic increases during teachers' third and fifth years of service. Teachers in larger districts could expect raises of $2,500 and $5,500 respectively at these milestones. For smaller districts with fewer than 5,000 students, raises would be $5,000 and $10,000. “No state has ever made a teacher pay commitment of this magnitude,” stated Creighton.
Additionally, the bill plans to expand the Teacher Incentive Allotment—a merit-based compensation system growing significantly since its launch in 2019. Under this system's highest tier, teachers could earn between $12,000 and $36,000 extra. Houston Senator Paul Bettencourt remarked that such measures provide young teachers with career certainty: “This is a profession that if they like it they can make a living at it.” According to Creighton, many are already earning six-figure salaries under this program.
Separately on Thursday, the Senate passed another bail reform bill similar to one approved in 2023. SJR 5 seeks voter approval for an amendment allowing judges discretion to deny bail for serious violent offenses based on clear evidence of threat to public safety. The measure has been passed five times previously by the Senate but requires two-thirds support from both chambers before reaching voters as a constitutional amendment.
Houston Senator Joan Huffman highlighted its importance by noting over 162 murders committed by suspects out on bond since similar measures were first proposed: “Think about that: one hundred and sixty-two people needlessly killed... because this legislature failed to enact common-sense fair legislation.” Following bipartisan Senate approval Lt. Governor Dan Patrick urged cooperation with House members to advance the bill further.
