AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement this evening following the unanimous final passage of House Bill 3 – the Property Tax Relief & School Finance Reform Bill:

“House Bill 3 is a landmark school finance reform bill that will be transformative for Texas and will help ensure that public schools in our state become number one in the nation. Along with Senate Bill 2, House Bill 3 provides over $7 billion in property tax relief for Texas voters and includes a $4,000 average pay raise for veteran teachers, librarians, school counselors and nurses. It will also ensure that our schools utilize cutting edge strategies that finally make sure that all our students can read and succeed.

“House Bill 3 could not have passed tonight without the leadership of Senate Education Chairman Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, and I congratulate him, the members of his committee and our colleagues in the Texas House, especially Speaker Dennis Bonnen. House Bill 3 is a testament to the power of collaboration and what can be done when all of us — as leaders of the people of Texas — are focused on the future of our children and the future of Texas. This is a great night for our great state.”