In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Sen. Larry Taylor, chair of the Senate Education Committee, about whether it’s possible to fully fund last session's school finance bill, learning loss, broadband access, the STAAR test and more. Full Story
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The bills would, among other things, strengthen mental health initiatives available to children, abolish the cap on how many school marshals can carry guns on public school campuses and allot money to school districts that can go toward “hardening” their campuses. Full Story
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The $11.6 billion school finance and property tax reform bill is now poised to head to Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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The Senate Committee on Water and Rural Affairs took public testimony on a bill that would strengthen state oversight of above-ground tanks that hold hazardous hydrocarbons. Full Story
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Giving every property owner in Texas a significant tax cut is expensive, but there are less ambitious plans under consideration along with the big ones. Full Story
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It’s unclear how much it would cost to implement all of Sen. Larry Taylor’s proposals. Senate Bill 11 appears to take an unspecified amount from the rainy day fund to help cover the costs. Full Story
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Our interview with state Sen. Larry Taylor, chair of the Education Committee, is moderated by Texas Tribune co-founder and CEO Evan Smith. Full Story
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Edgewood ISD has faced consistent problems in preparing its students for college and the workforce. The district's struggles shine a light on Texas’ long record of neglecting schools that educate mostly students of color. Full Story
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The Senate Education Committee drastically altered the House's primary piece of school finance legislation Friday but suggested compromise with the House was possible with less than a week left in the special session. Full Story
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Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith interviews state Rep. Dan Huberty and state Sen. Larry Taylor — their chambers' respective education chairman — on the 85th Texas Legislature's approach to public ed. Full Story
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The Texas Senate passed a bill that would take pensions away from officials convicted of felonies and require lobbyists to disclose more of their wining and dining of lawmakers. Full Story
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The Senate has tasked a new budget working group with coming up with ways to overhaul the state's school finance system. Full Story
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Only one committee received a new committee chair in the Texas Senate. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, will chair the Senate Administration Committee. Full Story
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Reproductive rights advocates have expressed concern that Texas lawmakers will take bolder steps in the upcoming session to defund abortion providers and dismantle access to abortion, birth control and other sexual health services. Full Story
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Education Commissioner Mike Morath on Tuesday outlined plans to crack down harder on chronically low-performing schools, saying he wants to cut in half the number of them that end up on the state’s failing list over the next five years. Full Story
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At our 4/29 symposium on the Texas economy, Ross Ramsey talked about the state budget and spending with state Sens. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, and Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, and state Reps. John Otto, R-Dayton, and Donna Howard, D-Austin. Full Story
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Full video of our 3/2 conversation with state Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood; Chad Burke of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region; Leon Phillips of the Galveston County Coalition for Justice; and Len Waterworth of Texas A&M University Galveston. Full Story
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The Public Education track at The 2015 Texas Tribune Festival featured panel discussions on turning around struggling schools, pre-K, public education and the Legislature, and charter schools. There was also a conversation with Education Commissioner Michael Williams. Full Story
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Sine die has now come and gone. But with lawmakers now free to return to their hometowns across the state, the question remains: How'd they do? Full Story
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Businesses are joining consumer advocates in sounding the alarm about a proposal that critics say would stack the deck in favor of insurance companies at the expense of businesses and homeowners. Full Story
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