Governor Abbott Requests Comptroller Investigate School District Finances To Ensure Taxpayer Dollars Reach Students And Teachers

August 19, 2026 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott today requested that Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Don Huffines undertake formal reviews of local independent school district finances to ensure taxpayer dollars reach teachers and students.

“As Texas makes historic investments in public education, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars directly reach students, classrooms, and teachers, rather than central-office growth, administrative bloat, consultants, and the web of noninstructional bureaucracy,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans expect that their hard-earned dollars will be spent in compliance with the law. It is essential that the $104.9 billion of taxpayer funds spent on  K-12 education is used for its intended purpose: supporting students and teachers to make Texas the top-performing state in education, rather than accelerating administrative bloat.”

Governor Abbott requested that the Comptroller investigate the spending of up to four independent school districts of varying size and geographic location to determine whether public funds are used for their lawful, intended purposes.

The letter requests the final report of these investigations by December 31, 2026, so that appropriate action can be taken and additional reforms may be considered by the 90th Legislature.

Read the Governor’s letter here.