A look at the wins rural Texas scored in this year’s legislative session
Lawmakers sought to close gaps in education and support funding for agriculture, disaster preparedness and health care this year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7d2e3098d64d84759776f897866e11b5/0317%20Capitol%20File%20LW%2002.JPG)
-
![The Texas State Capitol on March 17, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
How Gov. Greg Abbott lost a yearlong fight to create school vouchers
The governor projected confidence throughout 2023 that vouchers would pass. But his insistence on universal eligibility ensured his failure to convince 21 House Republican holdouts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/864cf92c2a31ff2cf2f6e8fbd3b569f5/Abbott%20TPPF%20Capitol%20REUTERS.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks on the north steps of the State Capitol to supporters at a Texas Public Policy Foundation Parent Empowerment rally on March 21, 2023. Abbott has called lawmakers to Austin for a special session Monday targeted at passing private school vouchers.]()
Credit: Ricardo Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via REUTERS -
Texas House committee advances school voucher bill, overcoming key hurdle
The committee action means school voucher legislation is poised to get its first House floor vote in recent history. Gov. Greg Abbott said if the Legislature fails to pass it this time, he will continue to call them back into session until they do. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7aba3d0df016b4996f72460ab299fc78/0913%20Odessa%20School%20Tours%20EH%2013.jpg)
![A Nimitz Middle School student raises their hand during class Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott, House at impasse over school voucher bill as special session winds down
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7669f3de33d9cdad33ede9bb4b484f3b/0529%20Sine%20Die%20House%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
![House Speaker Dade Phelan listens to state Representatives on the House floor during Sine Die, the last day of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
House, Senate bills at odds over power to boost future funding for Texas school voucher program
The Senate’s Republican bill would let state leaders grow the program by taking money from other agencies without the Legislature’s approval. The House bill would bar the practice. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/149c8b9c08df282b6fdbd2829062d0c6/0913%20Odessa%20School%20Tours%20EH%2018.jpg)
![Nimitz Middle School students take part in a class activity Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
School voucher bill hangs by a thread as key deadline approaches
The House public education committee chair said Wednesday he currently has no plans to bring the bill for a vote. Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to call a special session if the House doesn’t “expand the scope of school choice.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/726d15e9781ef5076536baf5fa964787/House%20Budget%20Day%20JV%2025.jpg)
![State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Killeen, speaks on the House floor in Austin on April 06, 2023.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Meet the 86th: A conversation with new Republican state Reps. Brad Buckley, Sam Harless and Cody Harris
Meet the 86th: A conversation with new Republican state Reps. Brad Buckley, Sam Harless and Cody Harris, moderated by Texas Tribune co-founder and CEO Evan Smith. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6ea80dd8fd7a351217ee07b97e556267/02_Meet_the_GOP_House_newbies_JJ.jpg)
![From left: Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith moderates a discussion with state Reps. Brad Buckley, R-Killeen; Sam Harless, R-Spring; and Cody Harris, R-Palestine, in Austin on Feb. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: John Jordan/The Texas Tribune