Understanding the Texas Legislative Process
The Texas Legislative Session, beginning January 14, 2025, will see lawmakers transform citizen ideas, interest group proposals, and committee research into potential laws. This complex journey involves bill introduction, committee scrutiny, floor debates, and ultimately, the Governor’s decision.
Republican Caucus Rifts Mark the Texas House Speaker Race
THE TEXAN – The oft-violated bylaw is reaching a seminal moment, facing either enforcement through primaries or relegation to the dustbin.
Ken Paxton Throws Weight Behind Cook For House Speaker
REFORM AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, has endorsed David Cook for Texas House Speaker.
Inside the battle to be Texas State House Speaker
WOODLAND ONLINE – Article looks as the Texas House race for House speaker.
The number of students with disabilities in Texas public schools—and how that compares to other states
MSN – The article discusses the number of students with disabilities in Texas public schools and compares it to other states, highlighting the challenges and progress in providing adequate special education services.
A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?
KSAT – After years of hitting a brick wall, school voucher advocates in Texas are entering next year’s legislative session with better odds than ever of passing a measure that would let parents use public money to pay for their kids’ private schooling.
Here’s what public school advocates want to see during the next legislative session
TEXAS STANDARD — The article from Texas Standard discusses the priorities of public school advocates for the upcoming 2025 legislative session. Key issues include increasing school funding, investing in teacher recruitment and retention, and opposing voucher programs that divert public funds to private schools. Advocates emphasize the need for transparency and accountability in how schools use public tax dollars.
Texas will have a $20B surplus next legislative session, comptroller projects
COMMUNITY IMPACT — Texas lawmakers will begin the next legislative session with a projected $20 billion surplus, according to state Comptroller Glenn Hegar. This surplus is expected to address key issues such as transportation, water infrastructure, and education. Lawmakers are also considering the implementation of school voucher programs, despite previous proposals failing to pass in earlier sessions.
Rewriting Texas education: why education policy will be a top priority next session
CBS Austin — The article from CBS Austin highlights the escalating debate over education policy in Texas, focusing on the push for school choice and the introduction of voucher programs. It emphasizes the tension between allocating taxpayer money for private schools and the need to increase funding for public schools, which has remained stagnant since before the pandemic.
The Impact of School Choice on Special Education in Texas
While these initiatives aim to provide families with more educational options, they also raise important concerns, particularly for students in special education.
