Full video of my 4/11 TribLive conversation with state Sens. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio; and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo.
83rd Legislative Session
Posted in
Public Education
Nixing Algebra II Not Out of the Equation in Texas
As Texas reconsiders whether all students should take algebra II to earn a high school diploma, it is bucking a national trend that it helped launch a decade ago toward more stringent math curriculum.
Posted in
Public Education
Plan to Expand Charter Schools Clears Senate
A significantly altered version of Senate Education Chairman Dan Patrick’s legislation expanding the state’s charter school system quickly passed out of the upper chamber Thursday afternoon.
Posted in
State Government
TribLive: Three Senators on the Latino Vote
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, state Sens. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio; and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, weighed in on outreach to Latino voters.
Posted in
State Government
TribLive: Three Senators on the “Kumbaya” Session
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, state Sens. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio; and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, talked about the sudden outbreak of peace and comity in the 83rd legislative session.
Posted in
Energy
Senate Sets Up Debate on Rainy Day Fund Spending
The full Texas Senate will consider a plan to spend about half of the projected $11.8 billion balance in the state’s Rainy Day Fund for transportation and water projects, though Democrats plan to push for money for schools as well.
Posted in
Economy
Roadblocks Emerge for Transportation Funding
With less than two months left in the legislative session, some lawmakers are lowering expectations on what can get done related to funding for roads.
Posted in
Public Education
Education Chairman Urges Panel to Support “Noble Cause”
State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, at a Tuesday hearing delivered an impassioned plea in support of the tax credit scholarship plan that is a critical part of the school choice reform package he has pushed this session.
Posted in
Public Education
An Anti-Voucher Message, but Implications Unclear
The political sentiment behind the House’s vote against private school vouchers last week is clear. But its particulars — including whether it would ban tax credit scholarships under consideration in the Senate — are less obvious.
Posted in
Higher Education
Four UT System Regents Call for Special Meeting
Amid heightened tensions with state lawmakers, four University of Texas System regents have called for a special meeting of their board, likely to be held this week.