Past Contributions

• Abbott touts school voucher deal with House leaders, but others reluctant to say if bill will pass

  By Zach Despart and Brian Lopez Oct. 31, 2023

  A deal between the governor and House would be a breakthrough after months of talks. But whether they actually have a deal is unclear. Full Story 

• Private schools are ready to expand into smaller communities if Texas adopts voucher program

  By Brian Lopez and Yuriko Schumacher Oct. 30, 2023

  With rural Texas relatively underserved by private schools, the potential for expansion could play a role in the debate over whether to let families use taxpayer money to pay for private education. Full Story 

• Texas judge temporarily blocks release of “unlawful” school accountability ratings

  By Brian Lopez Oct. 27, 2023

  The ruling comes after dozens of school districts sued the Texas Education Agency, claiming the revised accountability system would hurt their ratings. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott, House at impasse over school voucher bill as special session winds down

  By Zach Despart and Brian Lopez Oct. 25, 2023

  Vouchers are the governor’s top legislative priority. But he has signaled opposition to a proposed House compromise that would tie them to increased funding for public schools. Full Story 

• Texas House priority bill increases education spending in exchange for creating voucher program

  By William Melhado and Brian Lopez Updated: Oct. 20, 2023

  House Bill 1 would make an educational savings account program available to 25,000 Texas students in its first year, with increased participation to follow. The governor’s office indicated that the proposal was lacking. Full Story 

• Texas’ main voucher bill seeks to avoid other states’ mistakes but keeps ideas that attracted criticism

  By Brian Lopez Oct. 13, 2023

  Like in Texas, voucher programs in other states sparked vigorous debates, came with the same promises and faced similar concerns. Not all predictions came true. Full Story 

• School voucher bill gets initial approval in the Texas Senate, heads over to a more skeptical House

  By Brian Lopez Updated: Oct. 13, 2023

  The Senate also approved Senate Bill 2, which would infuse $5.2 billion to school districts to help them with teacher raises and rising costs. Gov. Greg Abbott said he would add those items to the special session’s agenda once lawmakers approve a voucher program. Full Story 

• Texas Senate unveils its priority school voucher bill

  By Brian Lopez Oct. 9, 2023

  The proposal would give families who exit the state’s public education system access to $8,000 of taxpayer money each year to pay for their children’s private schooling. Full Story 

• Special session on school vouchers begins with Republicans in disarray

  By Zach Despart, Patrick Svitek and Brian Lopez Oct. 9, 2023

  Gov. Greg Abbott needs a delicate coalition of Republicans to pass his top priority. But the House and Senate leaders aren’t getting along. Full Story 

• Vouchers return this special session — and school funding might be left out. Here’s what you need to know.

  By Brian Lopez, Yuriko Schumacher and Victoria Stavish Oct. 6, 2023

  Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to Austin to try again to pass education savings accounts, which would let families use state funds to pay for their children’s private schooling. Teacher pay was not part of his agenda. Full Story