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Texas Governor Abbott Proposes 70% Classroom Spending Rule for School Districts

Texas Governor Abbott Proposes 70% Classroom Spending Rule for School Districts

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proposed a new rule that would require school districts to allocate at least 70% of their funds directly to classroom activities, aiming to reduce administrative bloat. Speaking in El Paso, Governor Abbott stated that despite record levels of public school funding in Texas, increased spending has not consistently led to improved student outcomes. He highlighted concerns about administrative spending and financial inefficiencies in some districts, citing examples like Austin ISD and El Paso ISD, where administrative spending per student reportedly increased significantly while enrollment declined. The proposal also mandates comprehensive audits by the Texas Comptroller for the state's lowest-performing school districts. Governor Abbott emphasized that districts would retain discretion over the remaining 30% of their funds. He also suggested eliminating laws and reporting requirements that create expenses without enhancing student outcomes, extending this call to state governme...

Gov. Abbott blames EPISD's financial woes on 'bloated' bureaucracy

Gov. Abbott blames EPISD's financial woes on 'bloated' bureaucracy

In a stop In El Paso, Gov. Greg Abbott called out 'bloated' EPISD bureaucracy and poor taxpayer accountability for the district's financial exigency.

Governor Abbott Proposes Ban on H-1B Workers and Foreign Funding in Texas K-12 Schools

Governor Abbott Proposes Ban on H-1B Workers and Foreign Funding in Texas K-12 Schools

Governor Greg Abbott has introduced a new initiative aimed at restricting foreign influence in Texas public schools. The proposal includes a ban on H-1B visa workers in K-12 education and prohibits public schools from accepting gifts or entering into financial arrangements with foreign governments or entities connected to them. Abbott stated that the objective is to prevent foreign governments and foreign-backed organizations from influencing Texas education and to ensure that jobs in public schools are available to Texans. This move follows a broader focus by his administration and the Trump administration on the use of H-1B visas. The governor's proposal would require legislative action to be enacted into law. Previous examples cited include Qatar Foundation International providing funds to Austin ISD for Arabic language and culture instruction, and similar concerns raised regarding Houston ISD's Arabic Immersion Magnet School.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Orders Review of School District Spending to Combat 'Administrative Bloat'

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Orders Review of School District Spending to Combat 'Administrative Bloat'

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the state comptroller to conduct a review of how up to four independent school districts are spending taxpayer money. In a letter issued on Wednesday, Governor Abbott emphasized the need to ensure that the $104.9 billion allocated for K-12 education in Texas is being utilized for its intended purpose: supporting students and teachers, rather than contributing to 'administrative bloat.' The governor has requested the comptroller to select districts of varying sizes and geographic locations for the audit and to provide a timeline for the investigation by December 31. This initiative follows the passage of House Bill 2 last year, which injected significant funding into the state's education system, including provisions for increased teacher and staff compensation, revised school finance formulas, and enhanced school security training. Governor Abbott's letter did not specify any instances of fund misuse but highlighted the importance of accountability given the historic...

Texas Voucher Program Primarily Benefits Private School and Homeschooled Students, State Data Reveals

Texas Voucher Program Primarily Benefits Private School and Homeschooled Students, State Data Reveals

Newly released state data from the Texas Comptroller’s Office indicates that 70% of students awarded funds through Texas’ new Education Freedom Accounts program previously attended private schools or were homeschooled. As of August 10, 118,441 students had received awards. Only 30% of awardees transferred from public schools. This data, which excludes pre-kindergarten and kindergarten applicants and reflects the 2024-2025 school year, is based on information provided by parents. David DeMatthews, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education, noted that this trend aligns with patterns observed in other states that have expanded their voucher programs. Governor Greg Abbott had previously stated that the $1 billion program aimed to expand school choice beyond wealthy families, ensuring access for individuals of all income levels, including low-income households. The data also shows that 64% of awarded students come from households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty...

Texans Urge State Agency to Prevent Border Wall Construction in State Parks

Texans Urge State Agency to Prevent Border Wall Construction in State Parks

Hundreds of Texans gathered at the annual public hearing of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) in Austin to voice strong opposition to the potential construction of border barriers through state park properties, particularly in the Big Bend region. Despite border barriers not being on the official agenda, 99 individuals signed up to speak, with the vast majority expressing concerns about the environmental and recreational impact of such construction. Citizens displayed signs and chanted slogans like 'No wall, no wire, no way,' emphasizing their desire to protect natural landscapes. While Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has paused construction in Big Bend National Park, plans for Big Bend Ranch State Park and Black Gap Wildlife Management Area remain unclear, with CBP providing limited and changing information. Speakers included river guides, former park superintendents, and organizers from groups like 'No Big Bend Wall,' highlighting the bipartisan nature of the opposition.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Proposes Penalties for Texas Schools Retaining 'Vulgar' Books

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Proposes Penalties for Texas Schools Retaining 'Vulgar' Books

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has proposed new legislation that would impose penalties on public schools that fail to remove books deemed 'vulgar' from their library shelves. During a press conference at the Texas Capitol, Patrick stated that schools could face a reduction of an entire letter grade in their annual state performance ratings if found to have even a single objectionable book. This proposal follows a 2025 law, Senate Bill 13, which granted school boards the authority to approve and remove books based on complaints, a power previously held largely by school librarians. Patrick expressed concern that an overwhelming majority of school boards have not taken sufficient action under the existing law. He displayed covers of books he considered obscene, some of which he claimed depicted masturbation and graphic images of genitalia, asserting that these books are prohibited even in state prisons. Patrick emphasized that the state is not banning books, but rather preventing the use of taxpayer money to pu...

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Proposes Penalties for Schools Retaining 'Vulgar' Books

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Proposes Penalties for Schools Retaining 'Vulgar' Books

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced his intention to pursue legislation that would penalize public schools failing to remove what he deems 'graphic' books from their library shelves. The proposed penalties include lowering a school's annual performance rating, which could lead to state intervention in underperforming districts. Patrick stated that school boards and administrators have not adequately enforced a 2025 law, Senate Bill 13, which granted them authority to approve and remove books based on complaints. He displayed examples of books he considered 'filthy, dirty, vulgar, and pornographic,' some of which he claimed are prohibited in state prisons but remain in school libraries. Patrick emphasized that the state is not banning books, but rather ensuring taxpayer money is not used to purchase such materials for schools. His proposal suggests that a single objectionable book could result in a school being docked an entire letter grade in its performance rating.

Texas Lawmakers Debate Local Control Over Data Centers and Transmission Lines Amid Public Backlash

Texas Lawmakers Debate Local Control Over Data Centers and Transmission Lines Amid Public Backlash

Texas lawmakers are currently engaged in a contentious debate regarding the extent of local control over the development of data centers and high-voltage transmission lines across the state. A House Committee on State Affairs interim meeting heard recommendations from local officials and landowners advocating for greater local authority in approving data center proposals and reforming the process for transmission line approvals. This discussion follows significant public backlash, including protests at the Capitol, against the rapid buildout of 765-kilovolt transmission lines and numerous data centers. Landowners and activists argue that these issues are interconnected, as data centers require substantial energy, necessitating new transmission infrastructure. Governor Greg Abbott has already ordered an audit of data centers seeking to connect to the electric grid, pausing approvals until the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) completes its review. This audit aims to ensure data center developers...

Texas Lawmakers Debate Transmission Lines and Data Center Regulations Amid Public Backlash

Texas Lawmakers Debate Transmission Lines and Data Center Regulations Amid Public Backlash

Texas legislators convened for a nine-hour hearing to address growing public and political opposition to the construction of 765-kilovolt transmission lines and the proliferation of data centers across the state. The House Committee on State Affairs heard recommendations from various stakeholders, including local officials advocating for increased local control over data center proposals and a longer timeframe for reforming the transmission line approval process. Activist groups, symbolized by the color yellow, protested outside the Capitol, arguing that data centers' energy demands are directly linked to the need for new transmission lines. This bipartisan coalition, comprising Republican legislators, Democratic statewide candidates, rural landowners, and environmentalists, has gained traction, leading to recent actions by state officials. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and committee chair Charles Schwertner called for the Public Utility Commission to scrap the 765 kV project, while Governor Greg Abbott ...

Texas Gov. Abbott to talk schools, taxes during El Paso visit

Texas Gov. Abbott to talk schools, taxes during El Paso visit

Gov. Greg Abbott will visit El Paso on Wednesday, Aug. 19 to discuss education efficiency.

EPCC grant shows divide in Texas governor races between Abbott, Hinojosa

EPCC grant shows divide in Texas governor races between Abbott, Hinojosa

Gov. Greg Abbott gives EPCC $285,000 to cut college costs as Texas governor race candidates spar over education.