The governor has laid out his legislative priorities. In our latest “Under the Dome” episode, we look at the challenges lawmakers face in addressing the issues of property taxes and school finance.
Public Education
Explore The Texas Tribune’s coverage of public education, from K-12 schools and funding to teachers, students, and policies shaping classrooms across Texas.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Point of Order: Investing in the future of Texas
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith asks state Rep. John Zerwas, the chief budget writer in the Texas House, whether we have enough money to fund today’s priorities and tomorrow’s — and which hard choices we have to make.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: The challenge of reining in property taxes at no cost to schools
A Texas Senate committee is moving rapidly to require voter approval for local property tax increases over 2.5 percent. But some want to see the Legislature’s school finance bill before they vote on property taxes.
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Texas Legislature 2019
“This is very personal to us”: Santa Fe survivors are expecting results from the Texas Legislature
After last year’s massacre at Santa Fe High School, survivors told lawmakers the school safety measures they want to see enacted during this year’s legislative session. How many of them will become law?
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Texas Legislature 2019
Gov. Greg Abbott names school finance, property tax reform emergency items
The governor focused on bread-and-butter policy in a forum that has often featured a lot of red meat.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Something’s missing from the opening bid for property tax “relief” in Texas
The property tax legislation unveiled by state leaders this week carries an implicit promise — that local school districts will get more state money — but doesn’t say where that money might come from.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Many see “Robin Hood” as a villain. But lawmakers rely on it to pay for schools.
Even outspoken critics of the controversial program that redistributes money among school districts, acknowledge that they need it to avoid future school-finance lawsuits.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: The Texas comptroller’s new “pesky chart”
In a new report, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar says the state should cover 40 percent of the cost of public education — and should cover the costs of inflation, too.
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Public Education
In 2017, top Texas lawmakers were galvanized for “private school choice.” This year, momentum has faded.
Speaker Dennis Bonnen has said a private school voucher bill won’t pass the House. Meanwhile, other state leaders have toned down their calls for programs that give parents state money for kids to attend private schools.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Will Texas’ attempt to shake up school finance lead to higher stakes for standardized tests?
The idea of tying a portion of funding to test scores appeals to some who want to improve student performance, but it enrages educators who say it will encourage teaching to the test.