The Senate Education Committee is considering extending a decade-old state aid program for small, vulnerable school districts that depend on it for vital operations. The program is set to expire in September.
85th Legislative Session
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State Government
Texas Gov. Abbott signals support for “bathroom bill” from Texas House
Gov. Greg Abbott is signaling support for House legislation that some hope will serve as an alternative to the Senate’s “bathroom bill.”
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Demographics
Poll: Majority of Texans believe immigration helps country more than hurts
More than 90 percent of Texans believe that local police should be allowed to ask about immigration status if a person is arrested for a crime, according to the results of a poll released Tuesday.
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Politics
Texas House approves online posting of politicians’ personal financial statements
The Texas House preliminarily approved the requirement that the personal financial statements of state politicians and bureaucrats be posted online.
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Criminal Justice
Five death penalty reform bills heard in Texas House committee
Five death penalty bills were heard in a seven-hour-long meeting at the Capitol Monday night.
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Public Education
Texas made a school district take in more students. But will it help fund them?
As lawmakers debate possible reforms to the school finance system this week, they might decide whether to continue offering extra funds to districts like Texas City ISD, which last year was forced to annex a struggling district next to it.
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Economy
Cosmetology licensing under scrutiny in Texas House
Three bills aimed at reducing what it takes to get licensed for certain cosmetology jobs were considered in a House committee hearing Monday evening.
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Politics
New study renews fears about Texas bathroom bill’s financial impacts
Proposals to regulate which bathrooms transgender individuals may use could cost the state $3.3 billion in annual tourism dollars and more than 35,600 full-time jobs, according to a study by the Perryman Group.
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State Government
Embattled TABC chief Sherry Cook is stepping down
Amid a controversy over travel to fancy resorts and other spending controversies, the head of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Sherry Cook, announced she was stepping down from her job effective May 23.
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Politics
Texas House to wade into debate over bathroom regulations
A Texas House committee will take up a bill from state Rep. Ron Simmons this week that would ban cities and school districts from enacting or enforcing local policies that regulate bathroom use.
