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WEATHER ALERT

10 warnings in effect for 8 counties in the area

SCHOOL FINANCE


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Texas Legislature approves $8.5 billion boost for public schools after years of stagnant funding

Read full article: Texas Legislature approves $8.5 billion boost for public schools after years of stagnant funding

Gov. Greg Abbott has already said he intends to sign the bill, which will give schools funding for salary increases, special education, teacher preparation and operational costs.

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Texas House, Senate lawmakers reach $8.5 billion school funding deal

Read full article: Texas House, Senate lawmakers reach $8.5 billion school funding deal

The deal appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers over how to increase funds for the state’s public schools, with money earmarked for teacher pay and overhead costs.

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Texas Senate panel approves $8 billion school funding plan as it seeks middle ground with House

Read full article: Texas Senate panel approves $8 billion school funding plan as it seeks middle ground with House

The proposal would heavily invest in teacher pay and special education. It includes a modest $55 increase to schools' base per-student funding, significantly lower than what the House had sought.

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Clock is ticking for Texas lawmakers to settle differences on $8 billion public school funding package

Read full article: Clock is ticking for Texas lawmakers to settle differences on $8 billion public school funding package

Senators will hold a hearing Thursday on their counterproposal to the House's school funding bill. House Democrats and public education advocates have criticized the upper chamber for not moving faster to advance the legislation.

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Lawmakers want to expand Texas’ teacher pay raise program. Many educators will still be left out.

Read full article: Lawmakers want to expand Texas’ teacher pay raise program. Many educators will still be left out.

The Teacher Incentive Allotment gives raises to teachers based on performance. But it leaves out many educators and school staff who contribute to students' success.

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Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here’s how they will work.

Read full article: Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here’s how they will work.

Texas will give participating families about $10,000 to pay for their kids’ private schooling. Other details about the program, set to launch in 2026, are unclear.

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In historic first, Texas House approves private school voucher program

Read full article: In historic first, Texas House approves private school voucher program

The bill would let families use taxpayer dollars for their children’s private schooling. Lawmakers also signed off on a sweeping $7.7 billion package to boost public school funding.

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Voucher vote updates: Texas House approves voucher proposal

Read full article: Voucher vote updates: Texas House approves voucher proposal

The Texas House also approved more money for schools in a bipartisan vote.

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Texas officials’ claim that school funding is at an all-time high ignores inflation and temporary federal money

Read full article: Texas officials’ claim that school funding is at an all-time high ignores inflation and temporary federal money

A Tribune analysis also found the state’s share of the funds that schools receive per student significantly decreased in the last decade until recently.

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Billions more for tax relief and border security under budget approved by Texas Senate

Read full article: Billions more for tax relief and border security under budget approved by Texas Senate

Next step will be action in the state House, where budget writers have different plans for distributing property tax help.

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Texas school districts hopeful lawmakers will help plug $1.7 billion gap in special education funding

Read full article: Texas school districts hopeful lawmakers will help plug $1.7 billion gap in special education funding

Proponents say the changes would better serve special education students with widely varying needs — and help schools pay for it.

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Texas schools have leaned on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. Lawmakers want to put a stop to it.

Read full article: Texas schools have leaned on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. Lawmakers want to put a stop to it.

Underprepared teachers have been tied to student learning losses. But amid a teacher shortage crisis, school leaders fear the restrictions will lead to fewer instructors in their classrooms.

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Texas Democrats criticize school leaders for being too “nice” about their funding needs

Read full article: Texas Democrats criticize school leaders for being too “nice” about their funding needs

Lawmakers this week listened to testimony on House Bill 2, which would raise schools’ base funding per student by $220 — a figure that falls short of what many Texans say is needed.

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Voucher bills want to prioritize low-income families and be open to all students. Those goals might be at odds.

Read full article: Voucher bills want to prioritize low-income families and be open to all students. Those goals might be at odds.

Neither of the Legislature’s voucher bills require private schools to accept certain students, which some warn could block the neediest children from access.

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Texas House wants to give public schools $220 more per student

Read full article: Texas House wants to give public schools $220 more per student

The proposal, filed Thursday, comes well short of the increase school administrators and education advocates have been asking for.

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With vouchers fast-tracked, other Texas public education issues to watch this session

Read full article: With vouchers fast-tracked, other Texas public education issues to watch this session

From teacher pay and preparation to special education and DEI, here are issues Texas lawmakers are prioritizing this legislative session.

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Absenteeism spiked in the pandemic. Texas schools want the state’s help to keep students in the classroom.

Read full article: Absenteeism spiked in the pandemic. Texas schools want the state’s help to keep students in the classroom.

Chronically absent students — those who missed at least 10% of their school days — are more likely to drop out, education advocates say.

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School choice, vouchers and the future of Texas education

Read full article: School choice, vouchers and the future of Texas education

Vouchers would let parents use public funds to pay for their kids’ private education. Learn about how they could work and the political battle around them.

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Gov. Greg Abbott wants to extend Texas’ DEI ban to K-12 schools

Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott wants to extend Texas’ DEI ban to K-12 schools

In 2023, Texas passed a DEI ban at the state’s public universities. Now Abbott wants the state to stop funding diversity programs in K-12 schools.

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Texas school districts asked to return $16 million in federal funding for special education services

Read full article: Texas school districts asked to return $16 million in federal funding for special education services

The request comes after an audit found Texas improperly billed the federal government for reimbursements related to Medicaid-eligible students.

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A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?

Read full article: A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?

Some voucher opponents are ready to compromise; others are hoping supporters will fumble over the program's size, eligibility and accountability.

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Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott says

Read full article: Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott says

Last year, Abbott refused to give public schools a major raise without passing a voucher program. His tone was more conciliatory after Election Day.

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Houston ISD superintendent didn’t illegally funnel state money to out-of-state schools, TEA says

Read full article: Houston ISD superintendent didn’t illegally funnel state money to out-of-state schools, TEA says

The Texas Education Agency found that checks mailed to Miles’ charter school network in Colorado were eventually deposited into the network’s Texas account.

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Texas school districts say upgrades to the state’s student data reporting system could hurt their funding

Read full article: Texas school districts say upgrades to the state’s student data reporting system could hurt their funding

The Texas Education Agency says there’s time to fix problems before officially reported data is used to determine how much money districts get.

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Texas schools are hiring more teachers without traditional training. They hope the state will pay to prepare them.

Read full article: Texas schools are hiring more teachers without traditional training. They hope the state will pay to prepare them.

Schools are hiring instructors with different types of backgrounds to deal with critical staff shortages.

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Rising costs and stagnant state funds pushed this West Texas school district to the financial brink

Read full article: Rising costs and stagnant state funds pushed this West Texas school district to the financial brink

The Ector County school district boosted student learning but now faces financial uncertainty. It closed schools and cut costs to stay afloat, but it won’t slash teacher jobs.

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Texas schools got billions in federal pandemic relief. It is coming to an end as the school year starts.

Read full article: Texas schools got billions in federal pandemic relief. It is coming to an end as the school year starts.

Educators say they’ll struggle to keep the programs they created with those funds, highlighting their precarious situation without more state help.

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Houston ISD superintendent accused of funneling tax dollars out of state

Read full article: Houston ISD superintendent accused of funneling tax dollars out of state

A state lawmaker and Houston residents urge the Texas Education Agency to investigate whether the state-appointed superintendent improperly sent public funds to out-of-state charter schools.

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Texas launches new property tax incentive program to lure new businesses

Read full article: Texas launches new property tax incentive program to lure new businesses

The Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation program cuts property taxes for new manufacturing, research and development facilities. It replaces a shuttered program criticized for its impact on school finance.

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Texas’ new school safety law mostly addresses the Justice Department’s advice. But funding fixes is still an issue.

Read full article: Texas’ new school safety law mostly addresses the Justice Department’s advice. But funding fixes is still an issue.

Lawmakers passed House Bill 3 last year to address some of the issues that led to the botched police response during the Uvalde school shooting.

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Struggling to find teachers close to home, some Texas schools are looking overseas for help

Read full article: Struggling to find teachers close to home, some Texas schools are looking overseas for help

Public schools got little help from lawmakers this year to address the state’s chronic teacher shortage, so they’ve turned to other creative solutions — like leaning on cultural exchange programs to recruit international teachers.

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Texas superintendents say lack of school safety funding may lead to budget cuts

Read full article: Texas superintendents say lack of school safety funding may lead to budget cuts

The fourth special legislative session this year ended without any increased funding for school safety — even though public schools have complained for months they don’t have enough money to meet new safety mandates approved this year.

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After school voucher bill falls apart, supporters and opponents get ready for future fights

Read full article: After school voucher bill falls apart, supporters and opponents get ready for future fights

The Texas House’s vote to block education savings accounts disappointed voucher advocates and likely spelled doom for additional public school funding. Both bands say they’ll keep pushing for their priorities during next year’s primary elections and the 2025 legislative session.

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With GOP priorities unfinished, Texas House plans to wrap fourth special session Tuesday

Read full article: With GOP priorities unfinished, Texas House plans to wrap fourth special session Tuesday

The decision to end work Tuesday leaves long odds for bills to boost school safety funding and make sure that election challenges don’t delay the implementation of property tax cuts, teacher pension raises and infrastructure spending.

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Texas Senate passes its own school safety funding bill, but little time remains to get it across the finish line

Read full article: Texas Senate passes its own school safety funding bill, but little time remains to get it across the finish line

Senate Bill 5 would send an extra $800 million to public schools for security upgrades over the next two years. But the measure is at risk of becoming the latest casualty of the rift between the Texas House and Senate.

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Gov. Greg Abbott endorses reelection bids of 58 House members who voted for school vouchers

Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott endorses reelection bids of 58 House members who voted for school vouchers

No members who voted against Abbott’s top legislative priority received the governor’s backing.

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Texas House votes to remove school vouchers from massive education bill

Read full article: Texas House votes to remove school vouchers from massive education bill

The outcome was an embarrassment to Gov. Greg Abbott, who spent seven months lobbying two dozen Republicans who signaled opposition to vouchers in April.

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School voucher critics remain largely unswayed during Texas House hearing

Read full article: School voucher critics remain largely unswayed during Texas House hearing

House Bill 1, which stagnated during the previous special session, finally received a hearing in the lower chamber, a crucial step that will decide whether the proposal gets a full vote.

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The Texas House’s new priority education bill offers concessions to sway voucher skeptics

Read full article: The Texas House’s new priority education bill offers concessions to sway voucher skeptics

The revised bill promises a significant funding increase for public schools and academic accountability measures for students participating in the proposed voucher program, two of the biggest requests from voucher opponents.

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School leaders say Texas’ campus safety funding doesn’t cover new state mandates

Read full article: School leaders say Texas’ campus safety funding doesn’t cover new state mandates

A bill to increase the state’s support for school safety appears stalled in this month’s special legislative session. But even if it passes, superintendents warn it isn’t enough.

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Facing enrollment declines, Texas Catholic schools are leading supporters of school vouchers

Read full article: Facing enrollment declines, Texas Catholic schools are leading supporters of school vouchers

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops has been one of the staunchest voucher supporters, arguing it would increase access to religious education regardless of income level.

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With 22 portable classrooms on one campus, a growing Texas school district is asking voters for $2 billion

Read full article: With 22 portable classrooms on one campus, a growing Texas school district is asking voters for $2 billion

Conroe is one of the fastest growing school districts in the state. It and other districts say they need voters to OK bonds to keep up with the influx of students.

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Voucher proposal spurs mix of excitement, wariness in Texas home schooling community

Read full article: Voucher proposal spurs mix of excitement, wariness in Texas home schooling community

Parents of Texas’ growing population of home-schooled students are split over whether education savings accounts would give them much-needed financial help or represent an unwanted government involvement in their kids’ educations.

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Texas House priority bill increases education spending in exchange for creating voucher program

Read full article: Texas House priority bill increases education spending in exchange for creating voucher program

House Bill 1 would make an educational savings account program available to 25,000 Texas students in its first year, with increased participation to follow. The governor’s office indicated that the proposal was lacking.

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In West Texas, schools hope skeptical voters will OK debt to upgrade crumbling, overcrowded buildings

Read full article: In West Texas, schools hope skeptical voters will OK debt to upgrade crumbling, overcrowded buildings

The West Texas ethos of low taxes and small government has been hard for school leaders to overcome. Voters have rejected bond issues in Midland and Odessa during the last decade.

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Texas Senate unveils its priority school voucher bill

Read full article: Texas Senate unveils its priority school voucher bill

The proposal would give families who exit the state’s public education system access to $8,000 of taxpayer money each year to pay for their children’s private schooling.

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Vouchers return this special session — and school funding might be left out. Here’s what you need to know.

Read full article: Vouchers return this special session — and school funding might be left out. Here’s what you need to know.

Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to Austin to try again to pass education savings accounts, which would let families use state funds to pay for their children’s private schooling. Teacher pay was not part of his agenda.

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Texas House Democrats hint at disunity ahead of possible October special session

Read full article: Texas House Democrats hint at disunity ahead of possible October special session

State Rep. John Bryant said Democrats will need to work together to block the “school choice” bill in October.

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Compromise or pick a side? Texas House members offer preview of school vouchers debate ahead of special session

Read full article: Compromise or pick a side? Texas House members offer preview of school vouchers debate ahead of special session

Lawmakers at a Texas Tribune Fest panel found common ground on school funding and teacher pay but took starkly different stances on “school choice.”

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Facing declining enrollment and charter school competition, San Antonio and Plano consider closing campuses

Read full article: Facing declining enrollment and charter school competition, San Antonio and Plano consider closing campuses

School officials in San Antonio announced earlier this week that they are looking at closing about 20% of their campuses while Plano school officials are starting those discussions.

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How a state effort to fund Texas schools equitably is shortchanging dozens of rural districts

Read full article: How a state effort to fund Texas schools equitably is shortchanging dozens of rural districts

For decades, the Texas comptroller’s office has double-checked property valuations across the state, which help determine how much school districts can levy in property taxes. But when state and county appraisers disagree, districts can end up with big holes in their budgets.

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Texas House committee report outlines possible path forward for school vouchers

Read full article: Texas House committee report outlines possible path forward for school vouchers

The House blocked school vouchers during this year’s regular lawmaking session, but a report released Friday shows some members might be willing to approve a scaled-back version of the program that doesn’t compete with public schools for funds.

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Brazosport ISD is training its own teachers. The program might become a model for other Texas schools.

Read full article: Brazosport ISD is training its own teachers. The program might become a model for other Texas schools.

The small district’s apprenticeship program lets aspiring teachers earn a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification at no cost. In return, participants must work at the district for at least three years. Observers hope state lawmakers will use the program as a model for legislation.

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With no new funding from the state, Texas schools are breaking the bank to pay for teacher raises

Read full article: With no new funding from the state, Texas schools are breaking the bank to pay for teacher raises

Lawmakers this year didn’t approve extra money to help schools pay for raises despite having an unprecedented $32 billion surplus — even after Gov. Greg Abbott commissioned a task force last year to improve teacher pay and retention.

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No teacher raises. A failed school voucher push. Armed guards. Here’s what changed for public education this legislative session.

Read full article: No teacher raises. A failed school voucher push. Armed guards. Here’s what changed for public education this legislative session.

Lawmakers sacrificed school funding to block school vouchers, but the issue could be debated again in a special session. Districts will get new funds for school safety, though Uvalde families were ultimately left disappointed with inaction on gun restrictions.

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Late deal sends new economic incentives for businesses to governor

Read full article: Late deal sends new economic incentives for businesses to governor

After the previous, widely criticized program expired in December, lawmakers worked hard to craft a plan that won overwhelming support in both chambers.

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Texas Senate passes revamped school funding bill in last-minute bid to implement voucher program

Read full article: Texas Senate passes revamped school funding bill in last-minute bid to implement voucher program

Texas senators have latched education savings accounts to a school funding bill in a last-ditch effort to avoid a special session. But some House members are furious at the revamped version and have vowed not to let it become law.

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New economic incentive plan clears hurdle in Texas House

Read full article: New economic incentive plan clears hurdle in Texas House

During the floor debate for a plan to replace the expired Chapter 313 program, House members added that the new version of the incentive must require companies to pay higher wages and create stiffer penalties for noncompliance.

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Texas House advances $4.5 billion school funding bill

Read full article: Texas House advances $4.5 billion school funding bill

Lawmakers have already proposed directing billions of dollars to schools so they can lower property taxes and pay for safety upgrades. But House Bill 100 would be the first to increase the amount of money districts receive to raise teacher pay and cover the actual costs of educating students.

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Gov. Greg Abbott organizes “school choice” rally at the Capitol

Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott organizes “school choice” rally at the Capitol

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has embraced Senate Bill 8, which will get its first committee hearing Wednesday. But House Speaker Dade Phelan hasn’t made school choice legislation a priority.

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At parental rights event, Gov. Greg Abbott sheds light on how he’d implement “school choice” policy

Read full article: At parental rights event, Gov. Greg Abbott sheds light on how he’d implement “school choice” policy

For the first time, Abbott makes it clear which policy he supports. Bills that would allow parents to get state money to send their kids to schools outside of the state’s public education system have been floated previously, but top lawmakers believe the policies will pass this session.

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Texas’ private and rural schools again brace for a showdown on school choice

Read full article: Texas’ private and rural schools again brace for a showdown on school choice

Rural school leaders in Texas have been able to stave off the legislative priority of some of the state’s most prominent Republicans. But private school officials hope this year will be different.

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Most Texans support more school funding and teacher raises, new survey finds

Read full article: Most Texans support more school funding and teacher raises, new survey finds

As legislators begin to debate their public education priorities, the Charles Butt Foundation released a poll Tuesday showing Texans are mostly supportive of their public schools but are split on voucher-like programs.

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COVID-19 upended Texas schools’ finances. Now they’re calling for a new funding system.

Read full article: COVID-19 upended Texas schools’ finances. Now they’re calling for a new funding system.

Districts like Pflugerville ISD, which is struggling with a $12 million deficit and weighing school closures, say the pandemic and rising inflation have eroded the value of the state’s last effort to overhaul its public education finance system.

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Texas commission recommends tying community colleges’ state funding to their performance

Read full article: Texas commission recommends tying community colleges’ state funding to their performance

State higher education leaders are pushing for the changes as community colleges face greater workforce demands and financial pressures. The commission’s report now goes to lawmakers, who are expected to file legislation on the matter next session.

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Analysis: Texas government’s favorite local tax

Read full article: Analysis: Texas government’s favorite local tax

State lawmakers will tell you they hate property taxes as much as anyone. But the state itself doesn’t levy the tax — local governments do. And lowering it in a meaningful way would require state officials to raise taxes or cut programs. For them, talking about it is easier than doing something.

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Texas voters will decide whether to lower some property tax bills in May election

Read full article: Texas voters will decide whether to lower some property tax bills in May election

If two propositions pass, the state will increase school funding to make up for revenues lost from a decrease in property taxes.

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With Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s blessing, lawmakers fast-track property tax cut proposal

Read full article: With Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s blessing, lawmakers fast-track property tax cut proposal

Tax relief for property owners joins a packed to-do list for Texas lawmakers — which includes redistricting, COVID-19 vaccine mandates and a spending plan for $16 billion in federal stimulus dollars.

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The state of Gov. Greg Abbott’s emergency items: Will property tax and school finance get reformed?

Read full article: The state of Gov. Greg Abbott’s emergency items: Will property tax and school finance get reformed?

The governor has laid out his legislative priorities. In our latest "Under the Dome" episode, we look at the challenges lawmakers face in addressing the issues of property taxes and school finance.

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