To build a strong economy, Texas can do better to strengthen the adult basic education (ABE) and literacy system to prepare more Texans for higher-skilled and higher-wage jobs. To make system-wide changes
A homestead exemption subtracts a certain amount from the appraised value of your home to arrive at the taxable value, on which your tax bill is based. Current law allows any
The chart below is based on one done in late February by State Representative Gene Wu, showing real (inflation-adjusted) spending per Texas student. The amounts for 2014 and 2015 reflect
Yesterday, I testified in support of HB 1383 in the House Pensions Committee meeting: “In retirement, Texas teachers rely almost exclusively on their TRS pension because the vast majority are
Last Friday was a circus for Medicaid and health care watchers. Just down the hall, as the hearing we blogged about earlier this week went into its third hour of
Yesterday the Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved CSSB 1 (Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1), which would spend $94 billion in General Revenue and $195 billion in total money on
Wonder why there’s not enough money to pay for public schools or health care? One reason is that there are too many tax breaks that let special interests shirk paying
Last Friday was a double-feature for Capitol watchers and health care fans, but the policy in the spotlight will touch every Texan. Chairman Pitts of the House Appropriations committee devoted
Texas school cafeterias served over 300 million breakfasts in the 2011-2012 school year to an average of 1.6 million kids per day across over 8,000 campuses. Yet even with such
This session, the Economic Opportunity team has been tracking legislation that will affect financial aid, developmental and adult basic education, and career readiness and skills development. We are closely monitoring
