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May 21, 2023
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
With just over a week left in the regular legislative session in Austin, it looks we are are gearing up overtime.
The issue at the center of it all? School choice.
A legislative priority of the Republican Party of Texas, school choice has been Gov. Greg Abbott's signature priority this year, as he's traveled around the state pushing for increased educational choice for parents.
The problem? The Texas House, which has repeatedly blocked school choice efforts this session.
While the Senate worked quickly to pass Senate Bill 8, which funds individual educational savings accounts for families at $8,000 per student annually, that legislation has stalled in the House.
For a brief moment last week, it appeared as though the House Public Education Committee could be prepared to pass out a severely watered down version that would limit those who could benefit from the plan to special education students as well as those in F-rated school districts.
Gov. Abbott, however, has said that won't do, saying failure to pass meaningful school choice "will necessitate special sessions."
Well, yesterday marked the deadline for House committees to pass out Senate bills. And Senate Bill 8, the school choice proposal, was not among them, meaning it is all but dead.
So it appears we are headed for a special session later this
year on the school choice issue. With other conservative priorities hanging in the balance this week, it remains to be seen what other issues Abbott may add to that special session call when they return.
Featured
by Darrell Frost
A new property tax relief proposal passed the Texas House unanimously on Friday.
Combining elements of property tax plans from both chambers of the state legislature, the measure represents a breakthrough in deliberations that until recently appeared to have been at a stalemate.
Read More
State
Senate Committee Strengthens House Border Security Measures, But Concerns Remain
Advocates say the legislation still doesn’t go far enough to empower state authorities to repel invading illegals.
Texas House Moves to Protect Children from Sexually Explicit Performances
A measure to ensure minors are not exposed to explicit performances has received initial approval from the House.
House Higher Ed Bill Allows Universities to Hide their DEI
A late night amendment could allow DEI to continue in the shadows.
Local
New Documents Reveal State Rep. Frederick Frazier’s Sign Shenanigans Violated Dallas Police Rules
Internal Affairs investigators say the Dallas police officer’s campaign sign crimes were caught on surveillance video and violate the department’s code of conduct.
Leander ISD Teacher Explains ‘Gender Identity’ to Elementary Students
Fourth-grade teacher Deanna Perkins hangs pride flags in her classroom and wears a “pronoun lanyard” to school.
Plainview ISD Families Demand Accountability for Children’s ‘Sexual Contact’ Inside Classroom
Parents say action is overdue and it’s time to protect all the children.
Federal
U.S. Rep. Roy Blasts Air Force for LGBTQ Celebration
After a memo was released by the Department of the Air Force celebrating Pride Month, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy wonders if rainbow uniforms are next.
AG Paxton Challenges Biden Administration’s Destructive Border Policy
As chaos spreads across the southern border, AG Paxton has filed a lawsuit that would prevent the Biden administration from releasing illegal aliens into the country without court dates.
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Quoting...
"Freedom has cost too much blood and agony to be relinquished at the cheap price of rhetoric."
- Thomas Sowell
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