In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Max Rombado, Legislative Director at Raise Your Hand Texas. A proud Houstonian and Springwoods High alum, Max brings deep experience navigating the Capitol and advocating for policies that strengthen public education across the state.

From landmark teacher pay raises to the controversial expansion of school choice, Max unpacks what the latest legislative session means for educators, families, and communities. With clarity and candor, he breaks down the complexity of HB2 and HB8, and shares why the fight for public education funding is far from over.

Whether you’re a district leader, teacher, or policymaker, this episode offers insider perspective on the forces shaping Texas classrooms—and what’s at stake in the years ahead.

What You’ll Learn

● The key provisions of HB2 and what teacher retention and incentive allotments mean for salaries statewide

● Why timing and inflation complicate district budgeting despite new funding

● The creation of the ABC (Allotment for Basic Costs) and its impact on school operations

● Teacher certification challenges—and how new rules could reshape the workforce

● How HB8 reforms accountability, testing, and the STAAR system

● What Texas’ first school choice bill (SB2) means for families, districts, and the future of public education

● Why funding gaps still leave Texas far from national averages, and what it will take to catch up

Episode Timestamps

00:42 Meet Max Rombado, Raise Your Hand Texas

02:01 Legislative priorities: school funding, accountability, and choice

03:48 Teacher retention allotment explained

05:37 How much funding is allocated for teacher pay raises

07:26 The ABC allotment: covering operational costs

11:45 Inflation and the limits of new funding

13:29 Teacher certification challenges and incentives

14:58 The new three-test system: STAAR to Student Success Tool

18:21 School choice in Texas: SB2 and its implications

21:01 Private schools, charters, and shifting dynamics

22:32 Advocacy and getting involved with Raise Your Hand Texas

Connect with Us
● Host’s LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/)

Special Thanks
To Max Rombado and the Raise Your Hand Texas team for their commitment to strengthening public education and advocating for teachers, students, and communities statewide.

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