Blaise Gainey

4 weeks ago | kut.org | Camille Phillips |Blaise Gainey

After months of debate, revisions and negotiations behind closed doors, a sweeping school funding bill is now heading to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for his signature after getting the final nod for lawmakers on Thursday. Over the last several weeks, the Texas Legislature went back and forth, wrestling over exactly how the billions of dollars in House Bill 2 would be distributed into the public school system.

1 month ago | redriverradio.org | Jeff Ferrell |Blaise Gainey

The Texas House of Representatives has advanced a bill that would give a school board and parents control over school library material. Senate Bill 13 would also allow for the creation of advisory councils, if at least 20% of parents in a school district sign a petition to do so. The Texas Senate approved a similar proposal in the previous legislative session but did not get a vote on the House floor in 2023.

1 month ago | kut.org | Blaise Gainey

Texas’s 2025 legislative session is coming down to the finish line. Lawmakers have less than two weeks until they gavel out on Monday, June 2. And with little time left, there are still some big, priority bills that have yet to make their way to the governor’s desk. That pressure can lead to some creative wheeling and dealing at the Capitol. Some of the action on priority bills may take place behind closed doors.

1 month ago | redriverradio.org | Jeff Ferrell |Blaise Gainey

The Texas House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill this week to raise the state’s Homestead Exemption another $40,000 up to $140,000. The amount of an exemption is subtracted from the value of the home, so the owner pays property tax on a smaller amount, thus paying less tax. As reports, it’s the latest move by lawmakers aimed at lowering Texans’ property taxes. According to state figures, the legislation will cost the state an estimated $2.7 billion through August 2027.

1 month ago | hppr.org | Camille Phillips |Blaise Gainey

After weeks of negotiation, a panel of Texas senators met Thursday to discuss a multifaceted public education finance package that would dedicate an additional $8 billion to Texas public schools. Lawmakers have dramatically changed how the $8 billion will be spent since the Texas House approved the bill in April. The House's measure would have added $395 to the base amount of spending allocated per student, known as the basic allotment.