Texas
Fight over private school vouchers in Texas is ramping up
AUSTIN, Texas — State lawmakers heard from the public Monday as the push to get Gov. Greg Abbott’s priority legislation over the finish line next session takes shape. After the March primary, Abbott claimed he has the votes to pass private school vouchers next session.
The House Committee on Public Education heard from a panel of out-of-state private school voucher stakeholders.
“I urge policymakers to avoid including onerous regulations that drive away quality private schools,” said Dr. Patrick Wolf, a professor of education policy at the University of Arkansas.
Some Republican lawmakers are once again pushing legislation to create an education savings account program which would allow parents to use public tax dollars to help pay for private schools. Opponents worry it would take away from public school funding.
Last fall, Abbott refused to sign bills to increase school districts per-pupil funding without a voucher provision.
“The basic allotment actually does not even represent the majority of funding that school systems receive,” said Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath.
While hearing from Morath, one Republican representative claimed multiple streams of funding create an adequate amount for school districts.
“It would be correct to say that we did have a significant increase in per-pupil spending,” said Rep. Brian Harrison, R-House District 10.
Harrison claims the state can afford to divert dollars meant for public education to accounts which families can use for private school. But Democratic lawmakers argue that there is not an increase in funding when accounting for inflation.
“The Legislative Budget Board shows that in inflation-adjusted dollars, funding has dropped $590 per student over the last 10 years,” said Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-House District 49.
Many members of the public reminded lawmakers that many school districts are facing a budget deficit and urged the state to do something about it.
“The Legislature had a $30-plus billion budget surplus to try to restore the funding for these school districts, and yet they spent it on border protection, they spent it on the grid,” said Carl Jones with Grandparents for Public Schools.
But public-school funding got caught in the crosshairs with the voucher push and both ultimately failed. That led Gov. Abbott to campaign against fellow Republicans who tanked his voucher plan. He was largely successful and says he now has the votes to pass voucher legislation next year. Some primary winners still have to face Democrats in the November election, but most are in safe GOP districts.
“A lot of parents want to see their kids go to schools that align with their family values,” said Mary Elizabeth Castle with Texas Values.
There was no formal mention of an educational savings account bill, but such legislation is expected to be introduced next session, which begins in January.
AUSTIN – Texas officials are rolling out a new online hub aimed at helping residents spot and report the New World screwworm, a pest Gov. Greg Abbott says threatens livestock, wildlife, and the state’s rural economy.
Abbott announced the launch of screwworm.texas.gov, an enhanced website housed in the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Disaster Portal that he described as a “one-stop shop” for information and resources tied to the state’s response.
The New World screwworm poses a direct threat to Texas livestock, wildlife, and our rural economy,” Abbott said. “This new website puts essential tools in the hands of our producers, veterinarians, and families. Screwworm.texas.gov delivers the facts, maps, identification methods, and certification resources Texans need to detect problems early and report cases without delay. Now every Texan has the information to act. Texas will protect our land, our animals, and our way of life from this pest.
According to the governor’s office, the site is designed to provide “actionable and reliable multimedia information” about the New World screwworm, including fact sheets, videos, and educational materials.
The portal includes background information, guidance on how to spot the pest, sample collection procedures, Texas Animal Health Commission New World screwworm zone maps, the U.S. Department of Agriculture case dashboard, links to best practices for livestock and wildlife, and details on registering for a new no-cost New World screwworm Certified Inspector Training.
The governor’s office said state and federal partners are working together to detect, control and contain the spread, and that expanding public outreach and providing clear information is a key part of reducing risk.
Abbott’s office also highlighted actions taken by the governor in response to the pest, including:
- Directing the creation of a joint Texas New World screwworm Response Team
- Joining USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to announce a $750 million investment in a new sterile fly production facility in Edinburg
- Issuing a statewide disaster declaration ahead of the first detection
- Deploying state resources and activating the State Emergency Operations Center after the first confirmed Texas cases
- Visiting the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville for a briefing
- Launching a free online training course to certify more inspectors
- Announcing federal funding to strengthen inspection capacity.
Texans are urged to inspect livestock and pets for wounds and report suspected cases immediately, including in wildlife.
For livestock and pets, suspected cases should be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission’s 24-hour veterinarian call line at 1-800-550-8242.
For wildlife, reports should be made to Texas Parks and Wildlife’s 24-hour biologists’ call line at 512-389-4505. Officials also warn people not to move affected animals.
More information and updates are available at screwworm.texas.gov and screwworm.gov.
More than 150 troops at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have been infected with influenza over the past three weeks — a major outbreak less than two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American troops would no longer be required to be vaccinated against the flu.
A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
-
Nebraska4 minutes agoUnderground Railroad site reopens after 7-year closure in Nebraska City
-
Nevada11 minutes agoCaltech readies to build world’s most sensitive radio telescope in Nevada
-
New Hampshire14 minutes agoTransgender former New Hampshire state representative sentenced to 33 years for child sex abuse: report
-
New Jersey19 minutes agoYellowcard Brings Ocean Avenue to New Jersey’s Own Ocean Avenue
-
New Mexico26 minutes agoEdgewood and Santa Fe County finalize agreement to keep emergency services going
-
North Carolina29 minutes ago‘Infuriating, heartbreaking’: Raccoon recovering after getting caught in leg trap at Mecklenburg County park
-
North Dakota34 minutes agoOne year later, tornado survivors rebuild and remember
-
Ohio41 minutes ago
Lorain woman killed, three children injured in Ohio Turnpike crash in Elyria (UPDATED)
