Austin

For the first time this year, legislation aimed at helping families pay for private schools is on its way to the Texas House. The bill would also increase funding for public schools and give teachers a pay bump.

In a break from typical legislative procedure, Texas senators held last-minute committee hearings on four bills Nov. 9. The full chamber approved them hours later.

Gov. Greg Abbott immediately called lawmakers back to Austin on Nov. 7 to approve a school voucher program, increase funding for public schools and create a state penalty for illegal immigration.

Texans weighed in on property tax cuts, cost-of-living adjustments for retired public school employees, the mandatory retirement age for judges and more during the Nov. 7 election.

With just days left in the third special legislative session of the year, the Texas House public education chair said it was “too tight” for lawmakers to pass an education bill.