Both chambers have declared establishing a statewide insurance plan for public school employees a priority. The state's teacher shortage is blamed in part on the lack of affordable health insurance. Some senators expressed concern with the plan, particularly a provision requiring 80 percent of new state money districts receive to be spent on health insurance. That could hurt districts that are already paying significantly for benefits, said Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano. Bivins' proposal, which also covers retirees, would create a statewide pool that all districts could join.
Funding also comes from money schools get to equalize rich and poor districts.
The revised Senate plan no longer relies on the passage of a constitutional amendment to change how the public school trust fund is invested. Large schools could join after three years. Retired workers are not covered. The House plan does not depend on Permanent School Fund or equity money. Sadler, D-Henderson, says both sides are close to achieving the same goal but must work past funding differences.