by Conservative State Representative Angelia Orr
If you’ve ever heard me speak about public education, chances are you’ve heard me say, “It’s all about the kids.” That’s not just a phrase I throw around—it’s the foundation of how I make decisions. As a mom, a former school board member, and now your state representative, I care deeply about making our schools better, safer, and stronger for every single child who walks through the doors.
This session, I was proud to help pass House Bill 2, the largest investment in public education in Texas history. With the strong backing of rural Republicans, we secured a Texas-sized package that includes $63 billion to fully fund our public schools, $7.7 billion in targeted support for K-12 education, $1.5 billion for special education, and nearly $1 billion in additional help for rural and mid-size school districts. But I believe no school funding package is complete without taking care of the teachers who make it all work. That’s why we included $3 billion specifically for well-deserved teacher pay raises.
So, what does that mean for us here at home? The amount of new funding each district receives will vary, but every school in House District 13 will see a significant boost. On average, schools in our area will receive an estimated $4,505 more per student over the next two years, with several districts receiving over $7,000 per student in the next two years. That’s money that will go toward things like new textbooks, special education, and smaller class sizes by hiring more teachers.
I encourage you to visit my website, www.angeliaorr.com/HB2, to see a full breakdown of the numbers and find out what your local school is set to receive.
But I know that investing in education is about more than just dollars. It’s about creating the right environment for kids to learn and grow—and that starts with safety. If our kids aren’t safe, they can’t focus on learning. That’s why I’ve worked hard this session to strengthen school safety measures. I have supported and co-authored legislation to improve campus security, expand access to mental health services, and make sure every school in Texas has a thorough, proactive safety plan. Our kids deserve to feel safe and supported every single day they walk into school.
I’ve also taken action to protect our classrooms from the far-left agenda that’s trying to creep into public education. While President Trump is leading the charge nationally—cracking down on radical DEI policies, defining that there are only two biological genders, and protecting women’s sports—we’re doing our part here in Texas, too. We’re pushing back against the left’s attempts to distract from real learning and undermine parental rights.
This session, I co-authored House Bill 100, which brings much-needed reform to the instructional materials used in our classrooms. This bill ensures that what’s being taught is appropriate, academically sound, and reflects the values we hold in Texas, not political or ideological agendas. I was proud to see it pass the House with strong support.
I am also a co-author of House Bill 1158, which reinforces a parent’s right to know—and say yes or no—before their child participates in any sex education instruction at school. This is a deeply personal topic, and families, not bureaucrats, should make those decisions.
Lastly, I am a co-author of House Bill 54, a priority piece of legislation in the Texas House, which has been named the “Furries Act.” As strange as it sounds, there have been genuine concerns across the country about schools accommodating students who identify as animals.
It’s sad that we even have to address this, but here we are. The radical left is encouraging and pushing this idea on our kids and I will not stand for it. HB 54 ensures schools maintain reasonable, consistent standards of conduct and stay focused on education, not on social media trends or activist distractions.
These are just a few of the steps we’ve taken to protect our students and ensure Texas schools are places of learning, not indoctrination.
Public education is a partnership between families, teachers, communities, and lawmakers. And I’ll keep fighting for policies that put kids first, protect parental rights, and keep our schools focused on learning and excellence.
Because at the end of the day, it’s all about the kids.
Thank you for reading my weekly column. If you’d like to stay in the loop, call our Capitol office at (512) 463-0600 or follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/AngeliaOrrForTX. I’m honored to serve you.
–Your Conservative State Representative, Angelia Orr
