Parents bring education rally to House

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Parents, teachers and students rallied right outside the Texas House of Representatives. They said they were frustrated their voices weren't heard at previous rallies.

The House and Senate announced a budget deal on Friday. It would cut $4 billion from education. Parents once again called on legislators to dip deeper into the Rainy Day Fund.

"We hope that they hear loud and clear we expect them to be there for our students, or we will vote them out," said Margie Medrano, a McCallum High School parent. "If they dont hear us now, they'll hear us in November."

Legislators could hear the rally inside the House Chambers. In fact, it was so loud it disrupted a tradition during the passage of redistricting maps.

Normally the House and Senate pass the maps simultaneously. They open the chamber doors so leaders can see each other's gavels down the hallway. Saturday, because of the crowd and the noise, they had to time things by phone.

"It's very loud. Every time the door opens you hear the roar of the crowd. They're certainly making their voices heard," said Representative Donna Howard, D-Austin. "I'm not sure what the impact is going to be, but we know that they're here."

Republicans said they are considering the ralliers concerns.

"The question is, can you fund it with what we've done and continue that level of service," said Representative Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock. "We're going to look at that very carefully."

The ralliers said they will be watching the legislators moves closely.

"We're going to go home and talk to our neighbors and our families and anybody who will listen," said Medrano.

"This isnt just about the next nine days in the legislative session. This is about the next election," said Jason Sabo, a parent at Barton Hills Elementary. "People care about public schools."