Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday vowed to pass a bigger and better tax credit scholarship program — and possibly other school choice legislation — out of the Senate in 2017 and this time get it to the Governor’s desk.
2016
Abbott’s Office Touts Tax Incentives He Once Questioned
On the campaign trail, Greg Abbott suggested government should get “out of the business of picking winners and losers.” But his office strongly supports the taxpayer-funded incentives Texas uses to lure in businesses.
The Ticket: Cruzin’ to Caucus
This week on The Ticket: KUT’s Ben Philpott and The Texas Tribune’s Jay Root hear from Tribune reporter Patrick Svitek on what it’s like to cover the Cruzin’ to Caucus bus tour in Iowa.
Cruz: Davis Showed Abortion is Losing Issue for Democrats
Ted Cruz on Thursday reached back to the 2014 election cycle to argue abortion is a losing issue for Democrats, holding up the race for Texas governor as prime evidence.
New in Trib+Edu: The Role of Play Time in Preschool
In this week’s edition of the Trib+Edu newsletter: A new book emphasizes the importance of taking preschoolers away from drills and computer screens to make time for play, districts struggle to evaluate threats of violence and some predictions for 2016.
Texas Zoos Struggle to Limit Guns Under New Open Carry Laws
Zoos that want to limit firearms on their property are walking a legal tightrope under a pair of new Texas gun laws.
Humble Trucker Wins Hollow Victory in Workers’ Comp Case
State regulators have told an injured truck driver what he already knew — that his insurance company failed to properly document his debilitating back injury — but the finding won’t help Juan Boston pay his medical expenses.
The Brief: An Indictment Is Announced in Bland Case
A Waller County grand jury took action Wednesday against the Department of Public Safety trooper involved in the July arrest of Sandra Bland, charging him with a single count of perjury.
Event: A Symposium on Urban Public Education
The Tribune presents a half-day symposium in El Paso on urban public education in Texas.
Special Ed Students Await Improvements on Test Assistance
California, like most states implementing the first generation of Common Core assessments, offered special education students tools to assist them in completing the test.

