Here are the top stories from our data visuals team in 2023
The Texas Tribune’s data visuals team helped contextualize many of the state’s major stories this year. Here’s a look at some of our most memorable work. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/53ba0bd8414c545fcbd31d227467f54a/school-lunch-new-cms-1.jpg)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Texas parents who care for their disabled children full time will lose money after pay raise
Texas Medicaid caregivers’ wages were already near the poverty level. But parents whose sole income came from taking care of their disabled children have now lost their ability to work overtime hours. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2722308ad2fd24a012b2d5e89ae32db1/0831%20CLASS%20Sharp%20JS%2002.jpeg)
![Laurie Sharp talks with her daughter, Logan Sharp, in the living room of their Pflugerville home on Sep. 9. 2023. Logan's feeding tube runs in the foreground, which she requires to eat.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
Texas superintendent resigns after student finds his gun in school bathroom
The incident comes as lawmakers debate how to make schools safer after the Uvalde massacre and favor measures like arming more educators. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aa0fa8674afff002d3687b63a32478bf/Handgun%20File%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
![A M&P Shield handgun, small enough to be ideal for conceal carry, in Austin on April 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Photo Illustration by Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
What you need to know about education savings accounts, the voucher-like program championed by Gov. Greg Abbott
Texas is the latest state to pitch a version of the program, which lets parents who opt out of their local school districts use tax dollars to pay for private schooling. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e5d4ea6e2adea9d556024bb1ed247781/Isabel%20Suarez%20School%20JV%20TT%20012.jpg)
![Isabel Suarez works on homework prior to the start of the school day from her home in Pflugerville on Dec 9, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas senators seem open to major change in state’s public education funding formula
Senators in the finance committee asked questions Monday about the pros and cons of basing the amount of money that schools get per student on enrollment instead of attendance. Districts say the change could mean millions in additional funding. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c35b3dd7e0f7f446a064344c58b853a7/0127%20School%20Choice%20Lufkin%20CO%20TT%2023.jpg)
![The sun sets over Lufkin High School in Lufkin on Jan. 29, 2023. Public school officials in rural areas like Lufkin face budget challenges because of proposed school choice legislation, which provides taxpayer-funded alternatives to sending a child to a local public school.]()
Credit: Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislature gears up to tackle long-standing and fresh issues in public education. Here’s what you need to know.
Lawmakers are looking at ways to keep teachers in the profession, make schools safer, give parents money for private schooling and censor conversations about sex and gender. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ad91dbd3cac81a68e6f0fc50daf752e8/0127%20School%20Choice%20Lifkin%20CO%2010%20TT.jpg)
![Students get onto a bus following classes at Lufkin High School in Lufkin on Jan. 27, 2023. Public school officials in rural areas like Lufkin face budget challenges because of proposed school choice legislation, which provides taxpayer-funded alternatives to sending a child to a local public school.]()
Credit: Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribune -
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. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b8bfbc59e8e78ca053078782ebc4d79c/090519-Hemphill%20Elementary-004%20TT.jpg)
![JoAnn Zavala teaches pre-K with a bilingual program at Hemphill Elementary, seen on Sept. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Lawmaker pushes to allow concealed weapons in Texas public schools
A 2015 law that allowed licensed adults to carry concealed weapons on college campuses sparked widespread protest. Now one legislator wants to extend the practice to include public schools and some charter schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ddfcb71dc70031f6941d6d2681db95b9/Harrold_GUNS_2_MKC_TT.jpg)
![Mock weapons used to train educators in Harrold, Texas. The North Texas school district was the first to allow educators to carry guns on school grounds in 2007.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Texas' Driver Responsibility Program ends next month. Here's what that means for you.
More than 600,000 Texans will immediately be eligible to have their driver's licenses reinstated after the program's Sept. 1 repeal. The system was widely criticized for adding additional annual fees on top of the price of tickets, but all pending surcharges will soon be waived. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/190094fa6ac208e5b9ad5c5108028eb4/License_Reclamation_2_RZ_TT.jpg)
![People wait at a driver license reclamation clinic in Austin on June 22, 2018.]()
Credit: Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribune -
From property taxes to teacher pay, here's how the Texas Legislature handled spending priorities
Take a look at how Texas lawmakers reconciled major differences in their proposed two-year budgets, including funding for public schools, teacher salaries, women’s health, prison guard salaries and more. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/59920d4e23a77d6469d4a329ff7a76d2/budget-comparison.jpg)
![Entrance to the House Floor.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texans want voter approval of property tax hikes, says UT/TT Poll
Texans want local governments to get permission for property tax hikes over a set amount and don't think such a restriction would hobble services, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/87dec3568f7f78707416eb259c802f86/UTTTPoll-March_01-LEGISLATIVE.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Photo Illustration by Jeff Heimsath / Emily Albracht for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers have tried to end daylight saving time for years. Can they do it this session?
State lawmakers are again trying to abolish daylight saving time in Texas, arguing it's antiquated. But supporters of the practice argue it gives Texans a crucial extra hour of light in the evenings during the summer months. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/powerlines-sunset.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Texas Senate committee discusses school safety after Santa Fe shooting
We livestreamed a meeting of the Texas Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools & School Security. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/06/21/TT-APrice-TexasCapitol-8.jpg)
![The Texas Capitol in Austin on June 20, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price/The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Austin & the Legislature with Reps. Celia Israel & Paul Workman
We recorded our conversation in Austin with state Reps. Celia Israel and Paul Workman, moderated by Tribune CEO Evan Smith. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TTE-AustinLege02_leadart-01.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Straus endorses candidate to replace him in House District 121
House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, endorsed Steve Allison on Thursday to replace Straus in House District 121. Straus is not seeking re-election after representing the district since 2005. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6d0304691654ff29933704b637ea8f86/Straus_and_Allison.jpg)
![Outgoing Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus (left) and Steve Allison, who's in the Republican runoff to replace Straus in Texas House District 121.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich: Straus/Campaign website: Allison -
Regardless of outcome, HD-134 primary to leave mark on Texas politics
The Republican primary for House District 134 has turned into a intra-party battle with implications that could reach far beyond the Houston-based district. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2018/03/03/Davis_Dokupil.jpg)
![State Rep. Sarah Davis, R-University Place (left), and her Republican primary challenger, Susanna Dokupil.]()
Credit: Facebook campaign pages -
DPS reverses decision to lay off more than 100 older officers
The Texas Department of Public Safety has reversed a controversial decision to lay off more than 100 older troopers employed under an agency program that allowed them to retire and then be rehired in order to collect retirement benefits and a salary. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB5705.jpg)
![Texas Department of Public Safety recruit graduation class on April 7th, 2011 in Austin, Texas]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
With latest attack ad, Abbott builds on six-figure push to unseat GOP state Rep. Sarah Davis
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is sparing no expense — or attack — as he works to unseat a fellow Republican, state Rep. Sarah Davis of West University Place. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2018/01/12/Abbott_Davis.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott and state Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place]()
Credit: Credit/Provider:Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
"Bathroom bill" fizzles as Republican primary issue
With less than a month until the March 6 primaries, it's hard to find a Republican nominating contest for the Legislature where the "bathroom bill" is a central issue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2018/01/26/restrooms-001.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: iStock -
Austin-area Reps. Hinojosa, Howard and Rodriguez talk immigration, special education
Watch the full video of our conversation in Austin with state Reps. Gina Hinojosa, Donna Howard and Eddie Rodriguez. Or check out our full recap. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/austin.JPG)
![Article thumbnail]()