By WILL WEISSERT
Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Different sides in the fight for the future of Texas schools are on display at the State Capitol.
Hundreds of teachers on Thursday urged lawmakers to roll back $5.4 billion in public education cuts imposed two years ago. But in another part of the building and around the same time, a coalition of foundations pushed for reforms without spending more money.
Members of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association fanned out for a lobbying full-court press, meeting with state senators and representatives for their home districts.
Meanwhile, state Sen. Dan Patrick appeared at an event with a new group of civic leaders and foundations who argue Texas needs sweeping reform but not necessarily added spending for schools.
Patrick is a Houston Republican and chairs the Senate Committee on Public Education.
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