Proclamation - June 18, 2005

Proclamation
by the
Governor of the State of Texas

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

WHEREAS, education is the foundation for the economic and cultural future of the state of Texas; and

WHEREAS, the constitutional responsibility for the development of an efficient system of public education rests with the legislature; and

WHEREAS, Texas must maintain a system of school finance that ensures student performance and accountability are the primary goals; and

WHEREAS, educational excellence requires that the state provide resources to reward higher levels of student performance; and

WHEREAS, the state's system of accountability must include new measures of financial accountability and transparency in budgeting; and

WHEREAS, the current state of public school finance requires immediate action by the legislature to ensure the continued efficient and effective operation of Texas schools; and

WHEREAS, the people have placed the constitutional power to call and convene the legislature into special session in the hands of the Chief Executive Officer of the State;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, by the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 8, of the Texas Constitution, do hereby call an extraordinary session of the 79th Legislature, to be convened in the city of Austin, commencing at noon on Tuesday the 21st day of June 2005, for the following purposes:

To consider legislation that addresses educator compensation, benefits and certification.

To consider legislation that provides for public school financial accountability and that increases transparency in school district financial reporting.

To consider legislation that provides for performance-based incentives to educators and schools that attain higher levels of student achievement.

To consider legislation that funds textbooks and that creates the instructional materials allotment for public schools.

To consider legislation that provides for charter school funding and reform.

To consider legislation that provides for modifications to the recapture provisions of the public school finance system.

To consider legislation that provides for November elections for public school boards of trustees.

To consider legislation providing funding for the public school finance system and the continuation of the Texas Education Agency.

To consider legislation providing for end-of-course examinations to be used in public schools.

To consider legislation that provides for increased accountability and intervention for schools failing to meet state standards.

To consider legislation that provides for local property tax rate compression and voter approval of local property tax rates.

To consider legislation that establishes indicators of college readiness and higher levels of student achievement in the public school accountability system.

The Secretary of State will take notice of this action and will notify the members of the Legislature of my action.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this 18th day of June, 2005.

RICK PERRY(Signature)
Governor of Texas

Attested by:
ROGER WILLIAMS(Signature)
Secretary of State