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House committee considering a cap on school voucher spending, increases to public school funding
Read full article: House committee considering a cap on school voucher spending, increases to public school fundingThe House Public Education Committee released new proposals for creating education savings accounts and determining how much state funds public districts get. But a scheduled meeting about the bills was canceled.
Nearly half of licensed child care centers at risk of closing in Texas, association claims
Read full article: Nearly half of licensed child care centers at risk of closing in Texas, association claimsA recent report from the Texas Licensed Child Care Association reveals an apparent looming crisis in the state’s child care sector, with nearly half of licensed child care centers at risk of closing.
Texas’ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discrimination
Read full article: Texas’ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discriminationSupporters say diversity initiatives close educational and income gaps born from a history of prejudice. Republican officials say they prioritize identity over merit.
Republican lawmakers revive effort to give attorney general more power to prosecute election crimes
Read full article: Republican lawmakers revive effort to give attorney general more power to prosecute election crimesCritics fear increased election prosecutions could intimidate voters and local election officials. Attorney General Ken Paxton has long sought more autonomy over election cases.
These are the proposals lawmakers hope will save Texas’ water supply. Track them here.
Read full article: These are the proposals lawmakers hope will save Texas’ water supply. Track them here.Most lawmakers — as well as Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — want to invest big in water. Here are the proposals that would do it.
Texas lawmakers will debate saving the state’s water supply after key legislation is introduced
Read full article: Texas lawmakers will debate saving the state’s water supply after key legislation is introducedThe state House and Senate have similar proposals to solve the state's water crisis, but there are stark differences on how to invest billions of dollars to resolve.
A Republican effort to set deadlines to plug orphan wells in Texas hits resistance
Read full article: A Republican effort to set deadlines to plug orphan wells in Texas hits resistanceThe bill would have set deadlines for the oil and gas industry to plug inactive wells, which can pose a danger to the environment.
Texas Senate majority unveils bill requiring voters to prove their citizenship
Read full article: Texas Senate majority unveils bill requiring voters to prove their citizenshipAll 20 GOP senators signed on to Senate Bill 16, which would apply to currently registered voters, and restrict some to only congressional elections.
Why a Rio Grande Valley hospital is helping to feed its patients
Read full article: Why a Rio Grande Valley hospital is helping to feed its patientsAs the Edinburg facility and others seek to assist people experiencing food insecurity, state lawmakers have more than a dozen bills that could tackle Texas’ food deserts.
Texas House and Senate lawmakers have laid out their property tax cut proposals. How do they compare?
Read full article: Texas House and Senate lawmakers have laid out their property tax cut proposals. How do they compare?House and Senate lawmakers plan to spend at least $6 billion on property tax cuts, but haven't yet agreed on how much relief should go to homeowners over businesses.
Bills introduced a year after state’s largest blaze seek to limit wildfires
Read full article: Bills introduced a year after state’s largest blaze seek to limit wildfiresAmong the proposals is a bill that would force more inspections of power lines, which a committee concluded ignited a blaze that burned more than 1 million acres last year.
“We’re in competition”: An East Texas school district faces hard choices as education options grow
Read full article: “We’re in competition”: An East Texas school district faces hard choices as education options growThe Lufkin school district says it must do a better job of promoting itself amid growing competition from charter schools and homeschooling.
Texas lawmakers want to make it easier to convert office space into apartments and condos
Read full article: Texas lawmakers want to make it easier to convert office space into apartments and condosSupporters hope easing zoning rules will entice landlords to renovate and ease the state’s housing crisis.
Texas now has more top-tier research universities than any other state, report finds
Read full article: Texas now has more top-tier research universities than any other state, report findsThe designations come at a tumultuous time for universities as funding could be cut off and efforts to end tenure continue.
Texas Senate unanimously approves tax cuts for homeowners
Read full article: Texas Senate unanimously approves tax cuts for homeownersThe marquee proposal would increase the amount of a home’s value exemption from school taxes to $140,000 from $100,000. The legislation must win approval from the House next.
Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdown
Read full article: Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdownLegislators are expected to take up a $360 million proposal that would change the landscape of financial aid in the state.
Texas bill that lets families use tax dollars for private schools swiftly sails through Senate
Read full article: Texas bill that lets families use tax dollars for private schools swiftly sails through SenateSenate Bill 2 now heads to the House, where top officials say they have the support to create education savings accounts.
Texas Republicans want more property tax cuts. Here’s how they may do it.
Read full article: Texas Republicans want more property tax cuts. Here’s how they may do it.Gov. Greg Abbott said cutting taxes is a top priority, however, state lawmakers don’t have as much money to plug into tax cuts as they did two years ago.
Some Texas lawmakers want to ban countywide voting on Election Day. Local officials are pushing back.
Read full article: Some Texas lawmakers want to ban countywide voting on Election Day. Local officials are pushing back.Election administrators say letting people cast a ballot at any polling site is more convenient for voters and cheaper for local governments.
Texas budget writers prioritize school vouchers, teacher raises and border security in early drafts
Read full article: Texas budget writers prioritize school vouchers, teacher raises and border security in early draftsBoth chambers set aside $1 billion for a voucher-like education savings account program — double what was on the table two years ago — in a sign that supporters are emboldened after recent electoral gains.
Texas Legislature faces flurry of proposals in 89th session, including immigration, education, and electric grid
Read full article: Texas Legislature faces flurry of proposals in 89th session, including immigration, education, and electric gridAs the Texas legislature kicks off the 89th session, lawmakers have introduced more than 2,400 bills across both the House and Senate. There was a flurry of bills filed November 12, 2024, the first day lawmakers could file.
Texas Legislature 101: How bills become laws — and how you can participate in the process
Read full article: Texas Legislature 101: How bills become laws — and how you can participate in the processHere’s a rundown of how legislation moves through the Capitol, the ways lawmakers operate and who the power players are.
Can these 5 bills to expand voting access in Texas win bipartisan support in the Legislature?
Read full article: Can these 5 bills to expand voting access in Texas win bipartisan support in the Legislature?Proposals to allow online registration and broaden photo ID options may have a chance to advance, supporters say.
Advocates say there aren’t enough of them in Texas long-term care facilities
Read full article: Advocates say there aren’t enough of them in Texas long-term care facilitiesOfficials hope state lawmakers will boost the budget of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman office, an independent state agency, which can often be an elderly Texan’s only lifeline to the outside world.
Texas Republicans want voters to provide proof of citizenship. Arizona’s law holds lessons.
Read full article: Texas Republicans want voters to provide proof of citizenship. Arizona’s law holds lessons.A Votebeat analysis shows how such requirements risk disenfranchising key voter groups, including Native Americans and college students.
A new Texas GOP rule could alter the House speaker’s race — and ban some Republicans from appearing in primaries
Read full article: A new Texas GOP rule could alter the House speaker’s race — and ban some Republicans from appearing in primariesRepublicans who vote against party leaders’ preferred candidate could be barred from running in primaries. Lawsuits could follow.
Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professors’ influence. Here's how faculty shape their universities.
Read full article: Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professors’ influence. Here's how faculty shape their universities.Faculty senates have long played a key role in developing curriculum and protecting open inquiry. State leaders have also accused them of liberal indoctrination.
A West Texas lawmaker wants to redirect millions of tax dollars to plug abandoned wells, curb emissions
Read full article: A West Texas lawmaker wants to redirect millions of tax dollars to plug abandoned wells, curb emissionsThe proposal comes after the state’s oil and gas regulatory agency said it needs more money to plug wells that are in some instances erupting.