Gov. Abbott Signs Billions in Homeowner, Business Property Tax Relief

Gov. Greg Abbott has signed three measures providing new property tax relief to homeowners and businesses. During a press conference in Denton on Monday, Abbott signed Senate Bill 4, Senate Bill 23, and House Bill 9 into law, which he says will bring the total amount of additional tax relief passed this session up to $10 billion. That number, however, includes some existing property tax relief passed in previous sessions. All three measures in the tax relief package were worked on by State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R–Houston) and State Rep. Morgan Meyer (R–Dallas), who were in attendance at the signing. The first measure signed, SB 4, raises the homestead exemption to $140,000.
Patrick Accuses Abbott of Trying To Legalize Recreational Marijuana in Texas

Gov. Abbott’s veto of legislation banning THC has created a rare public clash between two of the state’s top leaders.
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes THC ban, calls for regulation instead

The move infuriated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the powerful head of the Senate, who had called the ban among his top five bills over 17 years in the Legislature.
Did Texas lawmakers do enough for children with disabilities? These child care advocates say no.

Lawmakers added $100 million to a child care scholarship program but failed to expand access to free preschool for children with disabilities. LUFKIN — Texas lawmakers this year added $100 million to a scholarship fund to help families across the state pay for early child care, an extraordinary investment that may ease a waitlist to help thousands of children. However, advocates say legislators fell short in creating more opportunities for the state’s youngest living with disabilities. “Most families with children with disabilities are really struggling in one area, if not multiple,” said Bethany Edwards, director for research and evaluation at the Center for Transforming Lives, a North Texas nonprofit that helps single mothers. Edwards is also a parent of a child with disabilities. “And there's a lot that can happen from a policy standpoint to change these systems, but change seems to happen very slowly,” she said.
Gov. Greg Abbott orders special legislative session after vetoing 26 bills

Abbott will call lawmakers back to Austin to tackle Senate Bill 3, a proposed ban on THC products that he vetoed, as well as five others from his veto list.
Texas Gov Signs Bill Requiring Ten Commandments in Public School Classrooms

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law that would require all public school classrooms in his state to display the biblical Ten Commandments. The law, which goes into effect on Sept. 1, requires classrooms to display a poster or framed English translation of the commandments that is at least 16-by-20 inches and is able to be read from anywhere in the classroom. Texas has more than 5.5 million students throughout its more than 9,000 public schools.

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What Texas lawmakers did after the state’s largest wildfire

June 0308:35 AM

LUBBOCK — Texas lawmakers approved a series of bills this year that aim to better prepare Texas for wildfires and to mitigate their damage. The legislation includes a study on wildfire risk zones, increasing funding for rural volunteer fire departments, and creating a statewide inventory of firefighting equipment that is accessible to all fire departments in Texas. The legislative package was inspired by the state’s largest wildfire in history. The Smokehouse Creek fire scorched more than 1 million acres in the Panhandle and killed three people. A special House committee was formed following the fires to investigate the cause and make legislative recommendations. view article

Lufkin ISD approves pay increase for new hire teachers, staff

June 0308:30 AM

The Lufkin ISD school board unanimously approved a new pay scale for selected employees for the upcoming school year at Monday’s special board meeting. The starting salary pay for new teachers, librarians, and registered nurses begins at $50,000. The previous starting pay was $47,000, an increase of about six percent. This comes from after a pay system review done by the Texas Association of School Boards. The district voted to close Coston Elementary and Kurth Primary School due to low enrollment rates in February. view article

Texas Supreme Court To Decide if State Judges Have Freedom of Religion

June 0308:30 AM

Both the Supreme Court of Texas and lower-level courts are considering whether Texas judges can refuse to officiate same-sex weddings. After she refused to officiate a same-sex wedding, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued McLennan County Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley a “Public Warning” in November 2019. Hensley sued the commission, which is responsible for investigating allegations of judicial misconduct, citing her religious objections to performing the weddings. view article

‘I’m Coming Home’: Tinderholt Announces Retirement From Texas House

June 0308:30 AM

State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, a six-term member of the Texas House, announced Monday he will not seek re-election. “The 89th Legislative Session marks my 6th Legislative Session in this chamber representing House District 94,” Tinderholt told members in an emotional floor speech. “There have been ups and downs, amendments and points of order, disagreements and achievements. It’s been one of the highlights of my life.” A veteran lawmaker and former military officer, Tinderholt has been a prominent figure in the Texas House’s conservative wing. In 2023, he mounted a challenge to then-Speaker Dade Phelan—a move that underscored growing dissatisfaction among grassroots Republicans with House leadership. He has also served as a mentor to many of the chamber’s newly elected conservatives. view article

TEA announces extension of Houston ISD takeover following ‘comprehensive evaluation’

June 0308:28 AM

The Texas Education Agency has announced an extension of its takeover of Houston ISD. A letter sent out by TEA head Mike Morath on Monday morning states that the state's takeover of the district will now be extended until June 2027. view article

‘We’re all at war with each other’ | Leander ISD considers consolidating some schools, drawing backlash from parents

June 0308:25 AM

As a parent of three students at Faubion Elementary, Lindsey King cherishes her close connection to the campus. "I live two blocks from Faubion and so my kids walk to school and I know people in this neighborhood do as well," King said. But the future of the school could be up in the air along with others. Several elementary school campuses at Leander ISD are operating below capacity, under 60%, and enrollment is slowing down in certain portions of the district. view article

Houston: HISD principal changes at Patrick Henry, Peck, Foster and more schools

June 0308:19 AM

Houston ISD replaced principals at five schools, according to email and social media posts. South Division Executive Director Sandra Doria announced Sunday that La Kenya Spriggs, Felicia James, and Jamelle Ryan Settles would be placed at Whidby Elementary School, Foster Elementary School and Peck Elementary School respectively. Separately, a May 12 email from the district's North Division sent via a school office manager indicates Patrick Henry Middle School's principal Erika Vigil "made the decision to transition from her position at the end of the current school year." view article

A museum takes students on flights to the stars. Future trips are in question

June 0308:01 AM

[In this week's edition: A federal agency funding museums and libraries faces a legal battle seeking to shutter it. The Education Department misses a key deadline to deliver its annual statistical report. Pathways to climate careers have diminished for the class of 2025. Students at Hamlin Elementary are silhouetted against the screen of a traveling planetarium. Federal support has allowed the South Dakota Discovery Center to update the exhibit to give the impression of flying through space. Credit: Anya Kamenetz for The Hechinger Report view article

Texas lawmakers voted to ban consumable THC products. Will Gov. Greg Abbott sign — or veto — the bill?

June 0305:36 AM

Texas lawmakers voted to ban consumable THC products. Will Gov. Greg Abbott sign — or veto — the bill? Gov. Greg Abbott is facing intense political pressure over a bill that would ban products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as hemp industry leaders mount a full-court press urging the governor to veto the measure while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his allies urge Abbott to sign it into law. The issue has sparked backlash from both sides of the aisle, including from conservatives ordinarily supportive of Patrick’s hardline agenda. An April statewide survey by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin found that 55% of Republicans believe Texas’ marijuana and cannabis laws should be less strict or left as they are now, compared to 40% who said they should be stricter. view article

From vouchers to a cellphone ban, this year’s lawmaking session brought transformative changes to Texas schools

June 0305:16 AM

An agenda driven by conservative priorities, schools’ financial duress and teacher needs led to an $8.5 billion boost, new discipline rules, more Christianity in classrooms and a DEI ban. Texas’ 2025 legislative session will likely be remembered for its education agenda. From private school vouchers to a public school funding boost, through a heavier emphasis on Christianity and student discipline, to bans on cellphones and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, lawmakers advanced bills that will have a lasting impact on students, teachers and parents for years to come. One proposal that would have scrapped the state standardized test fell through in the final days of session, while the much-awaited school funding package changed drastically from an earlier version school officials favored more. When signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, much of the legislation approved by lawmakers will take effect in September, right around the time schools get going for the 2025-26 academic year. Here is a recap of the most significant legislative developments this session. view article

Texarkana police officer, school board member arrested for alleged sexual assault of a child

June 0202:03 PM

TEXARKANA, Texas (KSLA) - The Texarkana Texas Police Department has arrested one of its own officers for alleged sexual assault of a child. Zackary Gilley, 32, has been a police officer with the department since 2018, officials say. He was put on administrative leave just before his arrest Monday night (June 2).

Austin ISD student dies after complications related to ‘incident at 8th grade celebration’

June 0210:03 AM

Counselors and mental health professionals will be at Covington Middle School on Friday after an 8th-grade student passed away Thursday morning. In a letter to parents, Covington Middle School Principal Cedric Maddox says the student died from complications related to an 'incident at the 8th grade celebration.' view article

Bill to scrap STAAR test dies in the Texas Legislature

June 0208:45 AM

A legislative effort to scrap the STAAR test to respond to concerns that the test puts unnecessary pressure on students died in the last days of the legislative session. House Bill 4, authored by state Rep. Brad Buckley, would have swapped the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test for three shorter tests given throughout the school year. The Senate and House failed to come out of closed-door negotiations with a compromise in time, missing a key legislative deadline this weekend. Legislators in the House and Senate agreed that Texas schools needed to do away with the STAAR test. But in the end, the two chambers could not close the gulf over what they wanted to see out of the new test and from the A- ratings system, which uses standardized test results to grade schools’ performance. Tensions had come to a head in recent years when a dispute over how ratings should be calculated led to two years of scores to be held up in court. The Senate wanted to solidify the Texas Education Agency commissioner’s authority to set stricter standards for the ratings system. And to discourage schools from taking legal action again, the upper chamber’s version of the bill gave the TEA commissioner authority to appoint a conservator to districts that initiate lawsuits. The House version, meanwhile, required the TEA to get approval from the Legislature before making major changes to the ratings system. And it left an avenue for districts to sue to challenge the TEA in the future, while setting up a fast-track court process so those lawsuits would not halt the release of the ratings. The two chambers also differed over whether to keep or do away with a mandatory social studies test, with the House in favor of less testing. Keep tabs on Texas politics and policy with our morning newsletter Keep tabs on Texas politics and policy with our morning newsletter view article

Texas Legislature approves $338 billion two-year spending plan with a focus on property tax relief

June 0208:40 AM

Texas lawmakers signed off Saturday on a $338 billion two-year spending plan that directs billions toward hiking teacher pay, cutting property taxes and shoring up the state’s water infrastructure, after House and Senate budget writers ironed out their differences and won approval from both chambers on their final draft. The budget now heads to Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who is expected to verify there is enough revenue to cover the Legislature’s planned spending — the last step before the 1,056-page bill reaches Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk The spending plan doles out the money to run the state’s business for the next two years, from September through the end of August 2027. It includes the underlying funding for some of the biggest bills passed this session, much of it paid for with general revenue, Texas’ main source of taxpayer funds used to cover core services. A large chunk of the budget — more than one out of every seven dollars — is devoted to maintaining and providing new property tax cuts, a tab that has grown to $51 billion. For the last several years, lawmakers have tried to rein in Texans’ property tax bills by sending billions of dollars to school districts to reduce how much in property taxes they collect from homeowners and businesses. view article

How will Houston ISD continue to fund its sweeping reforms? Here’s an overview.

June 0208:35 AM

Texas' largest school district will slash more than 340 central office staff to help fund its bifurcated budget that invests more money into historically underserved students. HISD will enter its third year under state-appointed leadership implementing what's called the New Education System (NES) at 130 campuses. The strategy is to pour funding into schools that need to improve, totaling thousands of dollars more per student amid long stagnant levels of state funding. Despite the budget squeeze, Houston ISD's Chief of Staff Monica Zdrojewski said the district can sustain this higher level of funding for NES and work toward a balanced budget. Right now, cuts to communications; facilities, maintenance operations; and purchased services are the district's answer to keeping cuts away from classrooms. view article

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Texas Legislature gives new city of Starbase authority to shut down local beach for SpaceX launches

June 0208:32 AM

Texas lawmakers agreed to give the new city of Starbase the authority to periodically close down a South Texas beach, giving more power to municipal officials with close ties to SpaceX over the objections of local activists trying to preserve access to the beach. After previous versions of the measure died earlier during the legislative session, a last-minute addition to a bill related to the Texas Space Commission successfully granted Starbase officials the authority to temporarily close down Boca Chica Beach for SpaceX launches. House Bill 5246 revises the power and duties of the Texas Space Commission and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium. view article

Austin ISD 8th grader dies after incident at celebration: principal

June 0208:31 AM

Covington Middle School eighth-grade student has passed away Principal says he died from complications after a medical emergency at a field trip CMS will be open Friday, May 30 as a counseling center view article

Houston ISD schools under Mike Miles’ reform model would receive $3,500 more per student under proposed budget

June 0208:27 AM

Under Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles' proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year, campuses under his instructional reform program would receive around $3,500 more per student compared to other schools. Miles said during a budget workshop meeting last week that schools in his New Education System (NES) — 130 of the district's lowest-performing campuses — would receive $10,635 per student, while other campuses would receive $7,103. He attributed the difference to additional learning coaches and special education costs at the NES schools. view article

Union-backed trustees, now a majority, flex muscle on Northside ISD board

June 0208:26 AM

The May 3 election put union-backed trustees in control of the Northside Independent School District board. On Tuesday, they locked down all three officer positions. Trustees selected Karla Duran to serve as president of the seven-member for the next year. Newly elected Sonia L. Jasso was chosen board vice president on her first night on the dais, and trustee David Salcido was reelected board secretary. view article

Leander ISD considers school consolidations amid budget deficit, despite new state funding

June 0208:26 AM

As state lawmakers tout new investments in public education, Leander ISD leaders say it’s still not enough to prevent school closures and deep staffing cuts. During a packed school board meeting Thursday night, families, students, and educators pleaded with trustees to save their neighborhood campuses from possible consolidation. view article

Denton ISD land purchase conflicts with neighborhood’s fight to preserve Hartlee Field area

June 0208:25 AM

For nearly a year, neighbors in northeast Denton have been working to preserve the Hartlee Field area, with its historic World War II hangars, from development by turning it into a state park. They’re not anti-development, but for this area they say it makes sense to preserve it, especially given Denton’s dwindling green spaces. view article

Aldine ISD Celebrates Teachers Earning TIA Designations, $7.6 Million in Incentives

June 0208:25 AM

Aldine ISD honored 279 teachers during its annual Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Reception on May 29, recognizing educators across the district who earned a new or higher designation this school year through the state’s TIA program. This year, Aldine ISD generated more than $8.4 million through the TIA, with more than $7.6 million allocated directly to teachers. Teachers were celebrated for their impact on student achievement and instructional excellence: 152 earned the Recognized designation, 84 were named Exemplary, and 43 reached the highest designation, Master. view article

Travis County DA: ‘Insufficient evidence’ to charge Austin ISD executive for tampering

June 0208:25 AM

Travis County prosecutors say there is insufficient evidence to charge a long-time Austin Independent School District executive with tampering with government records. In a court record filed on Wednesday, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office stated that it would not file charges. view article

2 accused in Longview ISD elementary abuse case appear in court

June 0208:25 AM

Two women accused in the abuse of multiple disabled Longview elementary students appeared in court Friday. Cassandra James, 51, of Hallsville and Linda Lister, 63, of Longview, are two of six people accused of abusing 11 students at J.L. Everhart Elementary from 2019 to 2021. A $2.5 million settlement was reached between Longview ISD and the affected families in 2023. view article

Northside ISD investigates incident in which San Antonio teacher shared alcoholic beverages with students

June 0208:24 AM

Campus administrators at Pease Middle School in the Northside ISD said Friday they are conducting an investigation after a special education teacher brought several cans of Hard Mountain Dew Blast, a drink that contains alcohol, to the school and made them available to students in three classes. This occurred on Thursday, May 29, the last day of school. In a statement, district officials explained that the staff member brought the drinks, not realizing that they contained alcohol, as a treat for students. view article

La Vega ISD launches free summer meal program

June 0208:23 AM

La Vega Independent School District will kick off its 2025 Seamless Summer Option Feeding Program on Monday, June 2, offering free meals to children through July 24. The program provides complimentary breakfast and lunch every Monday through Thursday to all children, regardless of age, residency, or school enrollment. No paperwork or registration is required. view article

How RFK Jr., Democrats and Republicans found common ground over food labels in Texas

June 0208:22 AM

Months ago, when Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chair Lois Kolkhorst first held a hearing on Senate Bill 25 — requiring among other things, warning labels on foods containing certain additives — the first person to speak was Calley Means, a top adviser to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. view article

Waco ISD addresses concerns over high school demolition

June 0208:20 AM

What some mistook for an “explosion” at Waco High was actually part of scheduled demolition work, Waco ISD said, as the district prepares for a new facility opening in fall 2025. Waco ISD released a statement to reassure concerned residents: “Waco ISD is in the regularly scheduled abatement and demolition process of the old Waco High School in preparation for the new facility opening in fall 2025.” view article

Exclusive: HISD state takeover will continue for 2 more years, TEA commissioner Morath says

June 0208:19 AM

The state takeover of Houston ISD will continue for two more years before the Texas Education Agency announces the timeline for the transition back to elected board members overseeing the district. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said in a letter that HISD has made "tremendous" improvements in student academic performance during the first year of state intervention, as well as gains in finance, operations, special education compliance and school board governance. view article

San Angelo ISD to Consider $305K Change Order for Oakes Sewer Project During Special Meeting

June 0208:19 AM

The San Angelo Independent School District Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Monday, June 2, at 8 a.m. to consider a $305,000 change order for the Central Oakes sewer line replacement project. The meeting will take place in the board room of the SAISD Administration Building at 1621 University Ave. The agenda includes public comment and discussion of Bid #25-001, which pertains to unanticipated construction issues discovered during the initial phase of the project. view article

Austin ISD bus swerves off-road, 2 adults transported to hospital

June 0208:17 AM

Austin Independent School District confirmed to KXAN that a school bus crashed near Steck Avenue Wednesday morning. The vehicle “swerved off” Steck Avenue, driving down a grass embankment. It stopped on a MoPac frontage road, blocking the northbound on ramp, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. view article

New details emerge in alleged teacher attack at Plano ISD elementary school

June 0208:17 AM

New details have emerged about a frightening incident outside a Plano ISD elementary school last week, where a teacher was allegedly attacked. According to newly obtained arrest documents, Daniel Okungbowa approached a woman outside Boggess Elementary School last Thursday morning and began asking her questions about her job. view article

Texas Legislature approves $8.5 billion boost for public schools after years of stagnant funding

June 0205:00 AM

The Texas House on Thursday gave the final stamp of approval to legislation authorizing roughly $8.5 billion in funding for public schools, sending the bill to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk where it is soon expected to become law. Final passage of House Bill 2, which will give schools additional money for teacher and staff salaries, educator preparation, special education, safety requirements and early childhood learning, comes on the heels of extensive negotiations between the House and Senate over how the final version of the bill would look. Abbott has already said he intends to sign the bill, a notable difference from two years ago when he and the Legislature withheld billions from public schools following a failed attempt to create a private school voucher program. This year, lawmakers vowed to approve vouchers and new public school funding in tandem. The Legislature finalized the education finance package on a 122-13 vote nearly a month after vouchers officially became law. view article

Plano ISD student Faizan Zaki wins Scripps National Spelling Bee

May 3008:48 AM

Faizan Zaki, 13, stood as the final contestant Thursday night in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and contemplated the word that could make him champion: éclaircissement. The Plano ISD student went through the word, the excitement in his voice growing letter by letter and his breath catching slightly as he finished it perfectly and the judges declared him the winner. Faizan dropped to the floor exhausted and triumphant as the confetti rained down on him. view article

Faizan Zaki, previous runner-up, wins 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee

May 3008:44 AM

Faizan Zaki — who was last year's runner-up — is the winner of the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The 13-year-old received the coveted Scripps Cup Thursday night after correctly spelling éclaircissement — a French word that means clarification, explanation or enlightenment in English. He outspelled more than 240 other competitors from across the country, including runner-up Sarvadnya Kadam. view article

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