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Debate on Texas school choice legislation continues

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Debate on Texas school choice legislation continues


State lawmakers are once again debating the controversial school voucher legislation known as the school choice plan.

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The Texas House Public Education Committee held a meeting on Monday about the future of education, budgets, and school vouchers. The school voucher plan aims to use tax dollars to pay for students to attend private schools.

A panel of education experts and professionals from across the country presented information on school vouchers in front of members of the Texas House Public Education Committee on Monday.

“Choice programs are successful when they accomplish three things; they need to attract a large and diverse quality of education providers. Second, they must provide information to parents to help them act as informed consumers of education. Third, they should prioritize,” says University of Arkansas Professor of Education Policy Dr. Patrick Wolf.

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Governor Greg Abbott’s School Choice Plan was introduced in 2023. It allows students to be given an education savings account in the amount of nearly $8,000 to attend a private school. The funds will come from tax dollars, sparking concern that it may take away from the budget of public schools.

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“Such financial support is a game changer. It has significantly democratized access to diverse education settings, allowing parents to customize options that better align with their values, their education and their children’s unique needs,” says Utah Education Fits All Executive Director Robyn Bagley.

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“I guess we are just abandoning making data-informed or data-driven decisions when it comes to taxpayer dollars in this amount. If it is privatized, I think that is really disappointing, considering again how substantially underfunded our neighborhood public schools are,” says District 49 Texas House Representative Gina Hinojosa.

The school choice plan was voted against by members of the Texas House of Representatives in 2023 and may be voted on again in 2025.

“Parents and teachers, we don’t listen enough to those voices when it comes to our neighborhood public schools. We also heard from the expert that is on the panel that these options only work when private schools are allowed to discriminate in admissions,” says Hinojosa.

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During the meeting, the panel of education specialists provided feedback on the impact the school vouchers have in their area.

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“All K-12 students in the state should be eligible to participate if their parents decide their private school or customized education best serves the child’s educational needs,” says Wolf.

“All of you have been invited to sell us on vouchers, which I appreciate. That is your position and what all of you do for a living, but I am very concerned that we are not getting a true picture across the country from folks who may disagree with your assessment,” says District 52 State Representative James Talarico.

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A second day of meetings will be held at the capitol on Tuesday, August 13.



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Austin, TX

People are losing interest in moving to Austin, study shows

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People are losing interest in moving to Austin, study shows


Austin is no longer the must-move destination it was five years ago. A new forecast from moveBuddha shows a 40 percent drop in move interest since 2019, one of the steepest declines among large American cities. The report analyzed searches for potential movers across 79 cities over the past five years. Using that data, the study predicts Austin will reach an in-to-out move ratio of 0.95 in 2026, meaning more people are expected to leave the city than arrive next year.

Austin spent most of the past decade attracting newcomers at a rapid clip. The study notes it only dipped into negative inflow twice in the last five years and both instances occurred in late 2023. The 2026 projection signals a real shift. Austin is expected to spend the entire year with outbound searches outweighing inbound ones.

Researchers point to softer housing demand and longer listing times as signs the city’s once hot market is now cooling. They describe Austin’s real estate landscape as “sagging under price reductions” and say that change may be contributing to lower moving interest.

While Austin cools, Frisco is headed in the opposite direction. The Collin County city ranks seventh in the nation for predicted inbound moves in 2026 with a projected in to out ratio of 1.29. Frisco has only seen one negative quarter in the past six years and its long term interest trend has ticked slightly upward.

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The study highlights Frisco as an example of a mid-sized Sunbelt city that has been growing steadily through years of national swings in moving patterns. The report suggests that momentum is expected to continue into next year.

Fort Worth shows one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the country with a 32.7 percent spike in moving interest since 2019. That increase ranks fifth among all 79 cities in the study. Its predicted ratio for 2026 is 0.97, still slightly negative, but far stronger than Austin and many other large metros.

Researchers point toward Fort Worth’s lower density and extensive trail network as potential draws compared with its larger neighbor. They describe it as offering a familiar region and economy without some of the friction of big city life.

Among the country’s largest cities, Dallas is the only major Texas metro expected to attract more newcomers than lose them in 2026, even though interest in moving there has declined about 19 percent since 2019. The forecast shows Dallas holding onto enough national pull to remain on the positive side of next year’s moving trends, putting it in the same camp as New York, Nashville and Washington, D.C.

Other large Texas cities are expected to land in the opposite category. Houston and San Antonio are both predicted to see more people searching to leave than move in, placing them among the least popular big metros for 2026 despite their size.

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Austin, TX

On Q Property Management Expands to Austin as Long-Term Rental Market Surges

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On Q Property Management Expands to Austin as Long-Term Rental Market Surges


AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As Austin’s long-term rental market continues to surge alongside the city’s explosive population growth, On Q Property Management is positioning itself to capture a key segment of Central Texas’s evolving housing landscape. The Arizona-based property management firm has officially opened its second Texas location in Austin, marking a strategic expansion into one of the nation’s hottest rental markets.

On Q Austin, located at 2631 Gattis School Rd Ste 100, Round Rock, TX 78664, follows the successful launch of the company’s Dallas-area office in 2023 and reflects growing investor demand for professional property management as Austin’s long-term rental sector matures.

Founded in 2010, On Q Property Management has built its reputation on innovation, transparency, and an unusual flat-rate fee structure that hasn’t changed in over 15 years. The company now manages more than 7,000 properties nationwide, including over 1,000 in Texas alone—and sees Austin’s blend of tech workers, university housing demand, and tourism activity as essential to its growth strategy.

“Every office we open starts from the ground up,” said Matt Medonich, regional manager at On Q Property Management in Texas. “We hire locally, invest in the community, and build a team that understands the unique character of each market. Austin is no exception. Our property managers, inspectors, and support staff all call Central Texas home.”

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With Formula 1, South by Southwest, and a steady influx of corporate relocations, Austin has become a magnet for real estate investors seeking long-term rental income. On Q’s entrance comes at a pivotal moment as property owners navigate evolving city regulations while maximizing returns in a competitive market.

“Austin isn’t just growing—it’s transforming,” said Rebekah Oquendo, property manager at On Q Property Management in Austin. “We’re seeing investors from across the country buying properties here specifically for long-term rentals, and they need local expertise to navigate licensing, optimize occupancy, and maintain quality standards. That’s where we come in.”

On Q has developed its own in-house technology platform, including maintenance management software, digital inspection tools, and intuitive owner portals that provide real-time updates—critical for investors managing properties remotely. The company’s secure property lockers at each office location have become a client favorite, allowing 24/7 key access for contractors, cleaning crews, and turnovers without coordination headaches.

The firm’s service model emphasizes consistency across markets while adapting to local needs—what Medonich describes as “Marriott-style reliability with neighborhood-level expertise,” particularly valuable for long-term rental owners who need dependable service at scale.

As of 2025, On Q employs more than 100 individuals across its four offices and is actively hiring in Austin for property manager, maintenance coordinator, leasing agent, and support staff positions.

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For career opportunities, visit https://www.onqpm.com/careers/. For more information about On Q Property Management, visit https://www.onqpm.com/.

About On Q Property Management
Founded in 2010, On Q Property Management is a full-service residential property management company offering a flat-rate fee structure that has remained unchanged for over 15 years. Managing more than 7,000 properties across the U.S., On Q provides end-to-end support for both owners and tenants through locally staffed offices and a nationwide commitment to consistent, high-quality service.

SOURCE On Q Property Management



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Austin, TX

Victim attacked by group of suspects at NW Austin bar; APD investigating

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Victim attacked by group of suspects at NW Austin bar; APD investigating


An investigation is underway after one victim was seriously injured after a fight in Northwest Austin.

Police said no arrests have been made.

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What we know:

Police said on Monday, Nov. 3, around 6:05 a.m., officers responded to a call at Dorzon International Lounge, at 12636 Research Boulevard. The caller said one person was assaulted and was “convulsing and bleeding.”

The victim was taken a local hospital for their injuries. 

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Police said a victim was involved in a fight in the parking lot with multiple people after a confrontation involving a woman. Witnesses told officers that several suspects punched and kicked the victim during the fight, and then took off. 

Officers reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby business and showed a group of men attacking the victim.

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Detectives are working to identify the suspects. 

At this time, no arrests have been made.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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The Source: Information from the Austin Police Department

Northwest AustinCrime and Public Safety



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