Houston Democrats: Democratic Tax Plan Goes Down by ONE Vote

Houston Democrats: Democratic Tax Plan Goes Down by ONE Vote: "The Texas House turned back a Democratic proposal for a school finance overhaul by one vote today, barely avoiding what would have been a major change in the direction of the special legislative session.

The House defeated the Democrats' proposal with a 75-74 vote, with Speaker Tom Craddick casting the deciding vote after the rest of the House was tied. Speakers generally do not vote, although Craddick has regularly done so on major proposals this year.

The plan drew the support of every Democrat and 12 Republicans.

It would have cut the maximum property tax rate for school maintenance and operations from $1.50 to $1.30. Its supporters also wanted to increase the value of a home that is exempt from school taxes from $15,000 to $45,000, although that language was not included in the proposal offered on the House floor.

Democrats said their plan would provide $3,200 in across-the-board pay increases for teachers. The Republican-backed plan that lawmakers will consider later today would give teachers across-the-board increases of $500, plus require school districts to give additional raises averaging $1,000 per teacher. Republicans also want to spend more money on incentive programs for teachers."