Politics & Policy
March 14, 2024
A Deposed Texas Republican’s Lament About Slander and Corruption
Glenn Rogers ran afoul of Governor Greg Abbott and billionaire oilmen Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks. It cost him his job.
Vouchers
Politics & Policy
March 13, 2024
“No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”: A Veteran East Texas Legislator Reflects on Getting Rolled Over by Greg Abbott’s School-Voucher Crusade
In a post-election interview, Travis Clardy calls his defeat a slap in the face for rural districts with few alternatives to public schools.
Politics & Policy
March 6, 2024
Why Is Texas the Epicenter of Christian Nationalism?
Billionaires here are funding right-wing politicians to knock down barriers between church and state. But a small countermovement is now rising to meet them.
Politics & Policy
January 2, 2024
The Texas GOP Civil War Is Messier Than Anyone Expected
Politicians have labeled the battle over Ken Paxton’s impeachment as one between centrists and the far right. It’s not, according to our analysis of legislators’ voting records.
Best Thing in Texas
December 11, 2023
Why Rural Republicans Defied Greg Abbott and Put Their Communities First
All through the voucher fight, these 21 members of the Texas House of Representatives prioritized public schools.
News & Politics
October 11, 2023
Former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings Isn’t Giving Up On Texas Public Schools
She may be a Republican, but she doesn’t love vouchers (though she doesn’t think they’re the end of the world, either).
Politics & Policy
October 4, 2023
Greg Abbott Failed to Persuade Lawmakers on School Vouchers. Now He’s Threatening Them.
Ahead of a special legislative session, the governor has implied there will be political consequences for those who get in his way.
Politics & Policy
September 22, 2023
Winners and Losers in the Ken Paxton Impeachment Saga
The attorney general’s acquittal affects an upcoming legislative session on school vouchers—and the civil war within the Texas GOP.
Politics & Policy
July 6, 2023
How to Lose Friends and Alienate the Legislature
The governor has long suffered from the reputation that he’s a policy lightweight. He’s turning it around this year in five easy steps.
News & Politics
June 6, 2023
Rural School Districts Are Facing Financial Ruin. Some State Officials Prefer It That Way.
The conservative, gun-toting superintendent of Fort Davis Independent School District is fed up: “I’m not patient enough to spend time with assholes in Austin, and I’m not rich enough to buy any votes.”
Politics & Policy
March 16, 2023
Preaching to the Choir: Greg Abbott Tours Private Christian Schools (Exclusively) to Make the Case for Vouchers
The governor has promoted “school choice” at seven religious academies around the state. Why there?
Politics & Policy
February 16, 2023
No Media, No Cellphones, No Questions: Greg Abbott Finds a Safe Space for His State of the State Speech
In an address that resembled a campaign ad, the governor issued seven priorities for the Legislature, including a push for “school choice.”
Politics & Policy
February 14, 2023
How a Brazen School-Voucher Scheme in Texas Got Derailed
Internal documents offer new insights into an unprecedented ploy in Wimberley to divert public-education dollars to private schools.
News & Politics
October 18, 2022
Inside the Secret Plan to Bring Private School Vouchers to Texas
Political operatives descended on the Hill Country town of Wimberley with a scheme to send taxpayer dollars to private schools. Now they’re shopping the same blueprint elsewhere.
News & Politics
September 8, 2022
While Campaigning on “Parental Control,” Top State Officials Champion School Vouchers
Undermining public schools has been a winning strategy for governors in several states. But for many rural, conservative communities in Texas, such schools are the only game in town.
Politics & Policy
December 19, 2017
Updated: Ted Cruz Scores a Victory on Funding for Private Schools
Cruz could secure more money in tax cuts for private schools and homeschools than Greg Abbott or Dan Patrick have gotten from the state.
Politics & Policy
August 15, 2017
How a Reagan Republican Became an “Embarrassed Conservative”
Growing conservative frustration in the Panhandle.
Politics & Policy
January 24, 2017
The Senate Suddenly Warms Up to Schools
Is the new study by Dan Patrick’s Senate a cover for private school vouchers?
Politics & Policy
April 20, 2015
The Senate Gets a Voucher
The bill passed today would either save the state money or provide thousands of scholarships to Texas students.
Politics & Policy
April 10, 2013
The Difficult Question on Vouchers
The main bill up for discussion was Dan Patrick’s SB 23, which would establish the Texas Equal Opportunity Scholarship Program. It would allow certain organizations to award scholarships to pay educational expenses for eligible students in public elementary or secondary schools to attend private or parochial schools. To
Politics & Policy
April 8, 2013
Area 51
The first day of debate over the House Appropriations bill is typically one of the most consequential events of a legislative session. Last Thursday’s debate was no exception. The highlight was a school vouchers amendment by Democrat Abel Herrero, of Corpus Christi: The language of Herrero’s amendment read, “Use