Past Contributions

• Texas is not prepared for Austin-San Antonio population boom, experts say

  By Maia Pandey Updated: Nov. 29, 2023

  The neighboring regions are projected to collectively grow from 5.2 million to 8.3 million people by 2050. But the state still lacks an overarching plan to address critical housing and transportation issues, experts said. Full Story 

• The Texas House’s new priority education bill offers concessions to sway voucher skeptics

  By Brian Lopez and Maia Pandey Updated: Nov. 7, 2023

  The revised bill promises a significant funding increase for public schools and academic accountability measures for students participating in the proposed voucher program, two of the biggest requests from voucher opponents. Full Story 

• Facing enrollment declines, Texas Catholic schools are leading supporters of school vouchers

  By Maia Pandey Updated: Oct. 31, 2023

  The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops has been one of the staunchest voucher supporters, arguing it would increase access to religious education regardless of income level. Full Story 

• Public education advocates propose alternatives to STAAR test, push for more pathways for teachers

  By Maia Pandey Updated: Nov. 2, 2023

  As Gov. Greg Abbott expands his special session agenda to include public education funding, some still take issue with the governor tying new money for teacher raises and school safety to a voucher program. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott says he’ll add teacher pay to the special session — but only if lawmakers pass school voucher bill

  By Maia Pandey Updated: Oct. 13, 2023

  Though lawmakers have drafted a bill to increase public school funding and teacher salaries, it cannot pass during the special session unless Abbott adds those issues to his agenda. Full Story 

• Disability advocates argue against school vouchers in Texas Senate hearing

  By Maia Pandey Oct. 10, 2023

  The Senate’s main “school choice” bill would prioritize vouchers for children with disabilities, among other underprivileged groups. But advocates and parents raised concerns that voucher recipients who choose private school would no longer be protected by federal law. Full Story 

• Texas teachers grapple with their raises caught up in voucher fight

  By Maia Pandey Oct. 9, 2023

  As a special session starts with a focus on “school choice” but no mention of public school funding, some teachers said they are even considering leaving the profession. Full Story 

• School voucher supporters and opponents debate public school funding, private school accountability

  By Maia Pandey Updated: Oct. 18, 2023

  Voucher opponents took issue with taxpayer dollars going to less regulated private schools, while proponents said parents can best choose which schools meet their needs and values at a Texas Tribune event. Full Story 

• Texas’ unemployment rate is among the nation’s worst — but experts say it signals a growing economy

  By Maia Pandey Oct. 3, 2023

  The state has yet to return to its pre-pandemic unemployment rate of about 3.5%, even as it leads the country in new jobs created. However, state economic experts say the unemployment rate is an indicator of Texas’s rapidly growing population and labor force. Full Story 

• Dallas selected as one of three national hubs for new medical innovation federal agency

  By Maia Pandey Sept. 26, 2023

  The city joins Cambridge, Mass. and the Washington, D.C. area as epicenters of the new agency. A Biden administration initiative, Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health will work toward medical breakthroughs in treating diseases like cancer, Alzheimer and diabetes. Full Story