TheRepublic.com - Dan Patrick News

Texas House OKs much-watched charter school bill

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:11:48 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a plan to expand the number of charter schools allowed to operate throughout Texas, shaking off long-held fears that doing so could hurt traditional classrooms.

House sends donor disclosure bill to Gov. Perry

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:08:12 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A proposal requiring politically active nonprofits to publicly disclose their major donors cleared the Texas Legislature on Tuesday, despite repeated attempts by conservative lawmakers to kill it and mounting pressure on Gov. Rick Perry to veto it.

Highlights from around the Capitol

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:21:46 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Following a week of wobbly talks over a new Texas budget, House and Senate negotiators met publicly Monday to settle some of the fine print and described making "very positive" progress in private about big-ticket items.

House OKs ethics bill Senate tried to recall

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:10:41 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas House has approved requiring the disclosure of donors to some tax-exempt, politically active organizations.

Top senator vows his charter school plan will pass

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:48:53 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The top proponent for school choice in the Texas Legislature vowed Wednesday that his much-watched effort to expand charter schools in Texas will become law - even though it could still face a tough road in the House.

Texas Senate OKs testing standards overhaul

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:17:14 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Senate on Monday unanimously approved its version of a major high school curriculum overhaul, reducing the number of standardized tests students must pass to graduate from a nation-leading 15 to five while allowing some to earn diplomas without taking upper-level math courses such as Algebra II.

Texas AG's same-sex opinion doesn't worry entities

Fri, 03 May 2013 19:19:35 -0400

EL PASO, Texas - Cities and counties that offer same-sex partner health benefits don't anticipate altering their policies after the Texas attorney general called the practice unconstitutional, though his opinion does serve as fuel for litigation against entities providing benefits to gay couples.

Texas lawmakers advance option for failing schools

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:51:28 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Senate approved a new option for troubled schools on Wednesday, advancing a bill that would create a special district operated by turnaround specialists.