Home-School Interest Grows in Hard Times

More budget-conscious Houston families appear to be contemplating home schooling as an alternative to pricey private school tuition.

Leadership Style of New Speaker Taking Shape

The role of Texas House speaker isn't defined by the state Constitution, but rather by the individual holding the office. From reform-minded Price Daniel Jr. to the iron-fisted rule of Tom Craddick, circumstances and personalities have dictated each leader's power and prestige.

ICR Launches Federal and State Lawsuits against Texas Agency

The Institute for Creation Research Graduate School (ICRGS) has filed two lawsuits against the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) defendants as of Thursday, April 16. Commissioner Raymund Paredes was formally served at his offices in Austin yesterday afternoon.

Procedural Games Get Anti-SBOE Constitutional Amendment Over the Line

by Terri Leo, State Board of Education

The Democrats (with help from a handful of Republicans) succeeded in passing the constitutional amendment taking the Permanent School Fund away from the elected State Board of Education, but it sure didn't look pretty.

Perry Practices the Politics of Division

by Matt Mackowiak

Texas has as singular and unique a history as any of the 50 states and it's evident in our deeply felt independent streak. In Texas, we commemorate the Battle of San Jacinto and we celebrate March 2, which is known as Texas Independence Day.

Texas House Moves Toward Likely Confrontation over Voter ID Law

The House of Representatives moved closer toward a likely confrontation over voter identification legislation on Wednesday as House Elections Committee Chairman Todd Smith unveiled a plan that he said strikes a balance between ballot box security and increased citizen access to the polls.

Voter ID Compromise Gets Cool Reception

A proposed compromise offered Wednesday on the politically charged voter ID proposal in the Legislature would delay the mandate until 2013, a wrinkle opposed by nearly every House Republican.

Legislators May Strip Education Board of Power

The legislative session so far has not been kind to the State Board of Education. Senate confirmation of Board Chairman Don McLeroy, R-College Station, is dead in the water, the Nominations Committee chairman said Thursday.

Texas Senate Passes Bill Requiring Doctors to Offer Ultrasounds to Women Seeking Abortions

The Texas Senate voted Thursday to require doctors to offer an ultrasound to women seeking abortions and to let them see the results if they want to.