Past Contributions

• Texas lawmakers promised to rein in school district property taxes. What do their plans actually do?

  By Aliyya Swaby April 24, 2019

  Three quarters of the way into the legislative session, lawmakers are still juggling several proposals related to school district taxes, including some that would not provide any tax relief. Full Story 

• Can Texas’ top three Republicans muster enough support to pass a sales tax swap?

  By Aliyya Swaby, Emma Platoff and Cassandra Pollock April 17, 2019

  Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have already signaled opposition to the proposal from Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen. Full Story 

• A Texas sales tax increase would hit poor people the hardest

  By Edgar Walters and Aliyya Swaby April 17, 2019

  Top Republican leaders have proposed raising the sales tax and using the money to lower local property tax rates. Wealthier Texans and businesses would likely benefit, while poorer Texans would likely pay more. Full Story 

• Property tax reform proposals stall — for now — as top Texas lawmakers scramble for votes

  By Cassandra Pollock, Emma Platoff, Aliyya Swaby and Shannon Najmabadi Updated: April 11, 2019

  House leadership plans to hold a floor vote on Monday. Meanwhile, the Senate is looking for one more vote to bring the priority measure to the floor. Full Story 

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, other top leaders propose raising the sales tax to provide property tax relief

  By Aliyya Swaby April 10, 2019

  The state's "Big Three" unveiled the proposal in a joint statement. The idea would need approval from two-thirds of the House and Senate and a majority of Texas voters. Full Story 

• Texas charter schools are facing more backlash this year, but they could also receive more cash

  By Aliyya Swaby April 9, 2019

  School finance reform could bring the privately operated public schools a windfall. But traditional public school advocates are still fighting the charters' expansion. Full Story 

• Here’s how different proposals at the Texas Capitol could change property tax bills

  By Aliyya Swaby, Chris Essig and Shannon Najmabadi April 8, 2019

  How would lawmakers' proposals to provide property tax relief affect tax bills? It depends on where you live and what kind of home you own. Full Story 

• Texas estimates it may owe feds $223 million after illegally decreasing special education funding

  By Aliyya Swaby April 5, 2019

  A major flaw in the way Texas spends money on kids with disabilities might lose the state almost a quarter of its annual special education grant. Full Story 

• Texas House approves major school finance reform package, adds teacher raises to the bill

  By Aliyya Swaby Updated: April 3, 2019

  The legislation would increase per-student funding, mandate across-the-board teacher pay raises and reduce "Robin Hood" payments made by wealthy districts. Full Story 

• Texas is preparing to tell the feds it can't promise a special education fix until June 2020

  By Aliyya Swaby March 27, 2019

  The state indicated in previous communications with the federal government that a fix would be made by this January. Full Story