An Austin lawmaker is making public education one of his top legislative priorities. State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez is once again championing a community schools bill that would enable failing schools to be uplifted by the community rather than shut down by the state. “I have already filed a community schools bill. It will be my third session filing it and I just think third time’s the charm on that one.” It got vetoed by Gov. Abbott last session. Rodriguez says he’s working with the governor’s office to get it passed this session.
Rodriguez says he’s seeking an expansion of his already passed Homestead Preservation District legislation. Rodriguez says the act was tools to promote affordable housing including land banks, land trusts and tax increment financing. Rodriguez says his original Homestead Preservation District was limited to a certain area of East Austin.
