Free breakfast for all students?
Last week, Texas House of Representatives Bill 296 passed the House on third reading. HB 296 is on its way to Gov. Rick Perry’s desk. The legislation, authored by State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, encourages public schools participating in the national School Breakfast Program to provide breakfast at no charge to all students if 80 percent or more of their students qualify for free or reduced price meals. Rodriguez said research shows school breakfast programs reduce hunger among low-income children, increase academic achievement, lead to improved health and help build lifelong healthy eating habits. Currently, only 60 percent of Texas students eligible for free or reduced school meals eat breakfast in our public schools. This bill is designed to increase participation in school breakfast programs, which has been shown to have a positive financial impact on schools that are trying to meet the needs of low-income students by leveraging additional federal funds. This bill had broad bipartisan support. Rep. Jason Isaac, District 45, was initially going to vote against the bill but during the House floor debate, he learned that the bill includes an opt-out provision. In the end, Isaac voted in favor of HB 296.
Shakespeare Under the Stars at the EmilyAnn Theater in Wimberley
