The latest episode of The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, tackles one of Texas' most persistent policy myths: that the state's recapture program, often called "Robin Hood," redistributes property tax revenue from wealthy districts to poor ones. In the episode titled Texas School Finance's Biggest Misunderstanding: Recapture Isn't Robin Hood, released July 13, 2026, Missy Bender, Executive Director of the Texas School Coalition, sets the record straight.
In 2025, Texas schools sent nearly $3 billion back to the state through recapture, with about 20% of all districts now paying. The top payers included Austin ISD at $770 million and West Texas oil district Pecos-Barstow-Toyah at $198 million. Bender explains that the program, established after House Bill 3, triggers when property valuation divided by average daily attendance exceeds a threshold. This creates a "double whammy" for districts like Plano ISD, where declining enrollment and rising valuations force them to send more money to the state.
"So what does recapture do? It generates state savings," Bender says. "That's why I don't call it Robin Hood anymore. It's not the property wealthy helping the property poor, like many think, but it's only helping the state." She notes that the funds flow into the Foundation School Program (FSP) and then reduce the state's contribution, freeing up money that can be redirected to "water, transportation, it could be vouchers, it could be anything."
Bender, a former Plano school board member, warns against the misconception that recapture helps poorer districts. She points to the funding adequacy study led by Dr. Lori Taylor at Texas A&M, which found that the Legislature went six years without increasing the basic allotment despite inflation. She also argues that 96% attendance, once religious and medical absences are counted, should be treated as the practical ceiling. A student leaving for a doctor's appointment can cost a district a full day of state funding, even when the absence is excused. She is working on legislation to stop penalizing districts for excused partial-day absences.
Some school boards have considered withholding payment as a form of protest, but Bender warns, "you can actually go to jail for doing that." The episode reframes a debate most Texans have only encountered as a tax-bill line item. As legislators head into election season, understanding the true nature of recapture becomes critical for informed policy decisions.
The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, spotlights the operators, advocates, and civic leaders shaping the state's future. This episode is available now on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
