Latest Contributions

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

  by Brian Lopez Dec. 1, 2023

  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. Full Story 

• “Our public school system is our town”: Why this rural Republican is voting against school vouchers

  by Brian Lopez and Patrick Svitek Nov. 17, 2023

  Despite intense political pressure, Republican Rep. Gary VanDeaver said he won’t support a bill that includes school vouchers. Rural Republicans like VanDeaver have long opposed school vouchers because of the unique role public schools they play in their communities. Full Story 

• Texas House votes to remove school vouchers from massive education bill

  by Zach Despart and Brian Lopez Updated: Nov. 17, 2023

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

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

  by Brian Lopez and Maia Pandey Updated: Nov. 7, 2023

  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. Full Story 

• Abbott touts school voucher deal with House leaders, but others reluctant to say if bill will pass

  by Zach Despart and Brian Lopez Oct. 31, 2023

  A deal between the governor and House would be a breakthrough after months of talks. But whether they actually have a deal is unclear. Full Story 

• Private schools are ready to expand into smaller communities if Texas adopts voucher program

  by Brian Lopez and Yuriko Schumacher Oct. 30, 2023

  With rural Texas relatively underserved by private schools, the potential for expansion could play a role in the debate over whether to let families use taxpayer money to pay for private education. Full Story 

• Texas judge temporarily blocks release of “unlawful” school accountability ratings

  by Brian Lopez Oct. 27, 2023

  The ruling comes after dozens of school districts sued the Texas Education Agency, claiming the revised accountability system would hurt their ratings. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott, House at impasse over school voucher bill as special session winds down

  by Zach Despart and Brian Lopez Oct. 25, 2023

  Vouchers are the governor’s top legislative priority. But he has signaled opposition to a proposed House compromise that would tie them to increased funding for public schools. Full Story 

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

  by William Melhado and Brian Lopez Updated: Oct. 20, 2023

  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. Full Story 

• Texas’ main voucher bill seeks to avoid other states’ mistakes but keeps ideas that attracted criticism

  by Brian Lopez Oct. 13, 2023

  Like in Texas, voucher programs in other states sparked vigorous debates, came with the same promises and faced similar concerns. Not all predictions came true. Full Story