Edward McKinley

Austin

Austin Bureau Reporter at Houston Chronicle

Austin Bureau Reporter at The San Antonio Express-News

Austin Bureau for @HoustonChron and @ExpressNews. Mizzou Mafia 🐯 + Minnesotan.

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Articles

Texas Senate set to send school voucher bill to Abbott's desk: 'Ready to sign'

6 days ago | expressnews.com | Edward McKinley

Texas Republicans' sweeping private school voucher plan could be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk as early as next week. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Friday that he'd urge the Texas Senate to accept the statewide voucher bill passed by the Texas House on Thursday, instead of trying to negotiate a compromise that includes some of the changes favored by senators. "I've fought for school choice for my entire legislative career," Patrick wrote on X.
Why some Texas lawmakers felt forced to back Gov. Abbott's school vouchers plan

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Benjamin Wermund |Edward McKinley

Pearland Republican Jeff Barry has long been skeptical of school vouchers, but on Thursday morning he voted to create what could become the largest voucher program in the nation. Barry, a freshman House lawmaker, said it felt like he had no choice.
Texas House approves $1B school voucher plan, marking major victory for Abbott

1 week ago | expressnews.com | Edward McKinley

The Texas House early on Thursday approved a far-reaching school voucher program, agreeing to send $1 billion of taxpayer dollars to families for private and often religious education. The 86-63 vote, which came around 2 a.m., marks the first time the chamber has backed vouchers in decades. It all but ensures that they will become reality in Texas, likely transforming education in the state for decades to come. Only two Republicans, state Reps.
Texas House approves $1B school voucher plan, marking major victory for Abbott

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Edward McKinley

The Texas House early on Thursday approved a far-reaching school voucher program, agreeing to send $1 billion of taxpayer dollars to families for private and often religious education. The 85-63 vote, which came around 2 a.m., marks the first time the chamber has backed vouchers in decades. It all but ensures that they will become reality in Texas, likely transforming education in the state for decades to come. Only two Republicans, state Reps.
Live updates: Texas House debates Gov. Abbott's $1B private school voucher plan

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Benjamin Wermund |Edward McKinley |Isaac Yu

The Texas House is taking up a sweeping private school voucher plan on Wednesday that is a top priority for Gov. Greg Abbott and would give students roughly $10,000 a year in taxpayer money to spend on private education. Despite aggressive lobbying from major GOP donors and elected officials, the education policy has never found enough support to pass the chamber.
What to watch for as the Texas House votes on Abbott's school voucher plan

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Edward McKinley

The Texas House is set to square off Wednesday on a $1 billion private school voucher bill, teeing up perhaps the most consequential vote of this year’s legislative session and one that could transform education in the state for years to come. House lawmakers have been the lone holdouts on vouchers despite intense pressure from Gov. Greg Abbott and other proponents.
let Texas voters decide

1 week ago | expressnews.com | Edward McKinley

Some lawmakers are floating a plan to pass Gov. Greg Abbott's signature school voucher plan, but only if Texas voters get final sign-off on the controversial policy to subsidize students' private school expenses with public funds. The last-ditch effort comes as the GOP-led Texas House is set to take up Abbott's priority issue on Wednesday. While the chamber has blocked past attempts, Abbott helped reshape the House in the last election and says he is confident the proposal will pass.
Voucher critics test new strategy at eleventh hour: Let Texas voters decide

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Edward McKinley

Some lawmakers are floating a plan to pass Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature school voucher plan, but only if Texas voters get final sign-off on the controversial policy to subsidize students' private school expenses with public funds. The last-ditch effort comes as the GOP-led Texas House is set to take up Abbott’s priority issue on Wednesday. While the chamber has blocked past attempts, Abbott helped reshape the House in the last election and says he is confident the proposal will pass.
Texas House Democrats table test vote on vouchers ahead of key showdown

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Edward McKinley

As the Texas House on Thursday took up how to spend more than $300 billion over the next two fiscal years, one of the session's top issues was conspicuously missing from debate: private school vouchers. Voucher opponents have become accustomed to putting forth a resolution during budget talks that bars public funds from going to help parents offset the costs of private education. But the so-called Herrero amendment, named for former Robstown Democratic Rep. Abel Herrero, was gone this year.
How Texas Catholic schools could get a big boost from Abbott's $1B voucher plan

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Benjamin Wermund |Edward McKinley |Isaac Yu

The Holy Spirit had blessed St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, businessman Clarence Kahlig declared last fall at the groundbreaking of the church's new $24 million school in Boerne, north of San Antonio. The blessing was all the donations that had poured in from the congregation, including a plot of land and $5 million from Kahlig, a parishioner who runs a local auto sales empire.