MINUTES 
                                           
           SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION REFORM AND PUBLIC SCHOOL  
                                      FINANCE 
                               Monday, April 3, 2006 
                                     9:00 a.m. 
                           Capitol Extension, Room E1.036 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Select Committee on  
         Education Reform and Public School Finance was held on Monday,  
         April 3, 2006, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin,  
         Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Florence Shapiro                Senator Kim Brimer 
         Senator Kip Averitt                     Senator Juan Hinojosa 
         Senator Robert Duncan                   Senator Steve Ogden 
         Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. 
         Senator Royce West 
         Senator Tommy Williams 
          
         MEMBERS PRESENT (Not on the Committee): 
         Senator Todd Staples 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:  
          
         Senator West moved adoption of the minutes from the previous  
         hearing held on February 27, 2006; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.   
          
         Senator Shapiro made opening remarks to the Committee. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the "Texas Tax Reform  
         Commission" are shown on the attached list. 
          
         At 10:04 a.m., Senator West assumed the chair. 
          
         At 10:09 a.m., Senator Shapiro resumed the chair. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the "Tax Discussion" are  
         shown on the attached list. 
          
         At 10:55 a.m., Senator West assumed the chair. 
          
         At 11:00 a.m., Senator Shapiro resumed the chair. 
          
         At 11:37 a.m., Senator West assumed the chair. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the "School Finance  
         Distribution" are shown on the attached list. 
          
         At 11:47 a.m., Senator Shapiro resumed the chair. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the "Public and Higher  
         Education Alignment" are shown on the attached list. 
          
         At 12:19 p.m., Senator West assumed the chair. 
          
         At 12:21 p.m., Senator Shapiro resumed the chair. 
          
         Witnesses (public testimony) testifying and registering are  
         shown on the attached list. 
          
         The chair moved that invited and public testimony be closed;  
         without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         There being no further business, at 12:45 p.m. Senator Shapiro  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of  
         the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         _____________________________ 
         Senator Florence Shapiro, Chair 
          
         _____________________________ 
         Tara Korstad, Clerk