HOUSTON – Think of tonight's vote as a do-over with a slight change in the bottom line.
The HISD board of trustees voted in favor of having voters decide again on whether HISD should continue to take part in what's called recapture.
Recapture also has been referred to as a Robin Hood tax.
In summary, property tax rich school districts -- like HISD -- are required by law to give money to the state.
That money is given to school districts deemed property tax poor.
In November, voters said no to what appeared as Proposition One on the ballot.
That decision would have pulled HISD out of recapture.
Supporters including Mayor Sylvester Turner have said doing so would force the state's hand, requiring the Legislate to re-think how schools are funded in Texas.
Also, supporters griped over $1 billion that would be sent to the state over the next few years because of recapture, including $162 million this year.
That figure changed thanks to a deal brokered by the Education Commissioner. It was cut down to $77.5 million.
That's under one condition, however, having voters decide again on the recapture in May.
Board members who voted in favor of bringing the question of recapture back to voters pointed to what could be done if the question isn't brought back.
The state can take commercial property from the district to make up for what it would have gotten from recapture.
Board members who voted no tonight begged to differ.