Past Contributions

• Texas House advances bill that would ban homeless encampments in public

  By Karen Brooks Harper and Duncan Agnew May 5, 2021

  The bill still needs final approval by the House — usually a formality after it's passed in the chamber's first vote — and then will head to the Senate. Full Story 

• GOP lawmakers want to ban "woke philosophies" like critical race theory in Texas schools

  By Duncan Agnew May 5, 2021

  Gov. Greg Abbott has called for expanding the state's civic education curriculum, but the House and Senate are quickly advancing bills that would restrict the discussion of current events and public policy in the classroom and prohibit critical race theory in public schools. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers consider bill that would prevent schools and workplaces from discriminatory bans on dreadlocks, other hairstyles

  By Duncan Agnew April 29, 2021

  After holding a press conference on Tuesday, proponents of the CROWN Act to ban hair discrimination finally received a committee hearing on the bill Thursday morning. Several students, parents and workers testified before members about their experiences being targeted for wearing natural hair. Full Story 

• A Texas economic incentive offers massive tax breaks to companies, but its renewal isn't a done deal

  By Duncan Agnew April 29, 2021

  Chapter 313, a decades-old law designed to lure companies to Texas with property tax breaks, expires in 2022. Lawmakers looking to renew it face opposition from critics who say it's unfair to many Texas schools. Full Story 

• Congressional Democrats condemn Abbott for not releasing billions in federal stimulus dollars intended for Texas public schools

  By Duncan Agnew Updated: April 19, 2021

  As Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders continue to delay the arrival of billions in education stimulus funding for Texas schools, Texas Democrats in Congress asked the Department of Education to pressure the state to send federal funds to schools as quickly as possible. Full Story 

• Austin ISD risks losing $5 million in state funding if more students don’t attend final weeks of school in person

  By Duncan Agnew April 15, 2021

  Earlier this school year, the Texas Education Agency established guidelines that each school district must follow to qualify for the state’s hold harmless funding. Some districts, like Austin, are now at risk of losing funds. Full Story 

• STAAR testing adds pressure to final weeks as frantic Texas school year nears end

  By Duncan Agnew April 15, 2021

  In an academic year scrambled by the pandemic and a deadly winter storm, Texas school students face makeup work and rounds of standardized testing. Many parents and teachers say it's unnecessary. Full Story 

• Senate Democrats support conservative-backed Texas bill requiring pro-sports teams with state contracts to play national anthem

  By Duncan Agnew April 8, 2021

  10 of the 13 Texas Senate Democrats voted in favor of the "Star Spangled Banner Protection Act," which Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named a legislative priority after the Dallas Mavericks stopped playing the national anthem before games. Full Story 

• Congress allocated $19 billion in federal stimulus money to Texas public education, but schools have yet to see an extra dime

  By Duncan Agnew Updated: April 8, 2021

  Three federal stimulus packages passed during the pandemic included more than $19 billion for Texas public schools, but state leaders have yet to distribute most of the money. Local districts say they need it to cover pandemic-related costs. Full Story 

• First day of STAAR testing canceled for thousands of students experiencing technical issues across Texas

  By Duncan Agnew and Neelam Bohra Updated: April 6, 2021

  Texas officials mandated that students take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness in person this year at monitored test sites, although millions of students are still learning remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story