Past Contributions

• Texas higher education leaders say equitable access is key for graduation goals

  By Brian Lopez Updated: Feb. 23, 2023

  During a Texas Tribune event on higher education, panelists also spoke about using the state’s historic surplus to improve the affordability of universities and keep rising costs down. Full Story 

• Texas senators seem open to major change in state’s public education funding formula

  By Brian Lopez Feb. 6, 2023

  Senators in the finance committee asked questions Monday about the pros and cons of basing the amount of money that schools get per student on enrollment instead of attendance. Districts say the change could mean millions in additional funding. Full Story 

• State Board of Education eases stance on vouchers after previously rejecting “school choice” policies

  By Brian Lopez Updated: Feb. 3, 2023

  This comes two days after Gov. Greg Abbott voiced his most explicit support yet of a new school choice policy at a Parent Empowerment Night event in Corpus Christi. Full Story 

• For many Central Texans, latest bout of cold weather and outages reopens old wounds

  By Stephen Simpson, Samantha Aguilar, Brian Lopez and Kate McGee Feb. 2, 2023

  Severe weather this week is confronting Texans with old problems and stirring up memories of previous crises. Experts say this can be a detriment to mental health. Full Story 

• Texas Legislature gears up to tackle long-standing and fresh issues in public education. Here’s what you need to know.

  By Brian Lopez Feb. 2, 2023

  Lawmakers are looking at ways to keep teachers in the profession, make schools safer, give parents money for private schooling and censor conversations about sex and gender. Full Story 

• At parental rights event, Gov. Greg Abbott sheds light on how he’d implement “school choice” policy

  By Brian Lopez Jan. 31, 2023

  For the first time, Abbott makes it clear which policy he supports. Bills that would allow parents to get state money to send their kids to schools outside of the state’s public education system have been floated previously, but top lawmakers believe the policies will pass this session. Full Story 

• With full state coffers and bipartisan support, Texas teachers are hopeful they’ll get a raise this year

  By Brian Lopez Jan. 30, 2023

  The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and burnout have pummeled teachers in the last few years. Lawmakers from both parties agree they should get a pay bump — but it won’t happen without some negotiation. Full Story 

• Most Texans support more school funding and teacher raises, new survey finds

  By Brian Lopez Jan. 24, 2023

  As legislators begin to debate their public education priorities, the Charles Butt Foundation released a poll Tuesday showing Texans are mostly supportive of their public schools but are split on voucher-like programs. Full Story 

• COVID-19 upended Texas schools’ finances. Now they’re calling for a new funding system.

  By Brian Lopez Jan. 13, 2023

  Districts like Pflugerville ISD, which is struggling with a $12 million deficit and weighing school closures, say the pandemic and rising inflation have eroded the value of the state’s last effort to overhaul its public education finance system. Full Story 

• Texas Supreme Court says it can’t force the state to process deluge of applications for tax break expiring this year

  By Brian Lopez Dec. 30, 2022

  The program, known as Chapter 313, provides companies with billions of dollars in property tax breaks. The court said it is up to the Legislature to make the call on what to do as the program is set to expire and the state is swamped with applications. Full Story