The Texas Legislature should reform school finance. The reforms should include a merit-based local control exemption program under which school districts meeting objective TEA criteria including:

·      an overall A or B accountability rating 

·      a first superior Achievement Financial rating for three consecutive years.  

Qualifying districts should be granted financial autonomy (limited local enrichment tax authority or flexible allocation of state M&O funds) and curricular autonomy (waivers for select TEKS requirements and expanded textbook/innovation options), provided they maintain minimum state standards and advancing the Governor’s priorities to improve education across Texas.