Texas Legislative Study Group

Dispelling pervasive myths about immigrants (Part 2)

American misconceptions about immigrants are as old as the nation itself. This misinformation can reinforce hateful rhetoric or inspire discriminatory acts against immigrants and result in misinformed policies that are unhelpful at best and harmful at worst. This report dispels…

U.S. and Texas Immigration Background (Part 1)

Introduction Given its global, economic, security, and humanitarian concerns, it’s no wonder that immigration has been a topic of debate for decades. Immigration has also long been a source of partisan fighting, but the upcoming general election coupled with federal…

A Recap of the Third and Fourth Special Sessions

The third and fourth special sessions have ended without passing vouchers and without additional funding for schools. While the former is cause for celebration, it is deplorable that the Governor continues to hold school funding and teacher pay hostage in…

LSG Budget Primer, Third Called Session

This report outlines updated available revenue and spending limits for the 88th Legislature, Third Called Session, ahead of impending floor debate and potential state spending. Read the printable version of the report here. Available Revenue The Comptroller’s Certified Revenue Estimate (CRE)…

Funding Schools, Not Vouchers, is the key to Student Success

With a $32 billion surplus going into the 88th Texas Legislature, most educators and legislators saw the session as a long-overdue opportunity to make a genuine investment in our 5.4 million Texas public school students. The House had a chance…

The Property Tax Deal Explained: A Recap of the 88th Second Special Session

A deal on property tax relief was reached during the second special session with two bills and a joint resolution signed into law by Gov. Abbott on August 9th. This report offers a closer look at the bills passed and…

88th First Special Session Recap

For the Texas House, the special session concluded the day it began, with three bills passed by the House. The Senate adjourned Sie Die yesterday, June 27th, with five bills passed by the Senate. In the end, none of the…

Recap of the 88th Regular Legislative Session

Introduction The 88th Legislative Session kicked off with a $32.7 billion surplus. This afforded state legislators the opportunity to go beyond the status quo and meaningfully address critical issues, such as our state’s foster care system, mass shootings, healthcare access,…

Texas Law & School District Takeovers

What does Texas law say about school takeovers? Current law allows for state intervention in schools that do not meet predetermined accountability standards. The most extreme outcome of these interventions is a state takeover in which the education commissioner is…

The Privatization of Education

Is “School Choice” Code for Education Privatization? Gov. Abbott and conservative political operatives have been touting this abstract idea of “school choice.” But what do they mean? Texas parents have many options when it comes to educating their children —…

Policy Reports (page 2)