https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/brian-lopez/The latest news by Brian Lopez.enFri, 22 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/22/texas-school-vouchers-greg-abbott/The governor projected confidence throughout 2023 that vouchers would pass. But his insistence on universal eligibility ensured his failure to convince 21 House Republican holdouts.Patrick Svitek, Zach Despart and Brian LopezFri, 22 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/22/texas-school-vouchers-greg-abbott/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/19/asian-american-studies-texas-round-rock-isd/The course highlights Asian Americans’ contributions in U.S. history. It also seeks to offer an honest look at the mistreatment, like the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.Brian LopezTue, 19 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/19/asian-american-studies-texas-round-rock-isd/Round Rock High School junior Indira Moparthi studies on her laptop after school on Dec. 13, 2023. Moparthi is one of dozens of students who are enrolled in the state's first-ever Asian American Ethnic Studies course this semester.Round Rock High School junior Indira Moparthi studies on her laptop after school on Dec. 13, 2023. Moparthi is one of dozens of students who are enrolled in Round Rock High School's first ever Asian American Ethnic Studies course this semester.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/01/texas-senate-special-session-school-safety/Senate Bill 5 would send an extra $800 million to public schools for security upgrades over the next two years. But the measure is at risk of becoming the latest casualty of the rift between the Texas House and Senate.Brian LopezFri, 01 Dec 2023 15:08:57 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/01/texas-senate-special-session-school-safety/The Texas Senate passed Friday a bill that would increase funding for public schools to pay for security upgrades.A DPS police vehicle sits outside of Dalton Elementary School as students wait outside their classroom on the first day of school in Uvalde on Sept. 6, 2022.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/17/texas-school-vouchers-rural-republicans-gary-vandeaver/Despite intense political pressure, Republican Rep. Gary VanDeaver said he won’t support a bill that includes school vouchers. Rural Republicans like VanDeaver have long opposed school vouchers because of the unique role public schools they play in their communities.Brian Lopez and Patrick SvitekFri, 17 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/17/texas-school-vouchers-rural-republicans-gary-vandeaver/State Rep. Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston, on the House floor on May 7, 2021.State Rep. Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston, on the House floor on May 7, 2021.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/16/texas-house-school-vouchers/The outcome was an embarrassment to Gov. Greg Abbott, who spent seven months lobbying two dozen Republicans who signaled opposition to vouchers in April.Zach Despart and Brian LopezThu, 16 Nov 2023 16:47:29 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/16/texas-house-school-vouchers/Bonham Middle School students enter the school’s cafeteria for lunch on Sept. 13 in Odessa.Bonham Middle School students enter the school’s cafeteria for lunch Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/03/texas-house-school-vouchers-funding/The revised bill promises a significant funding increase for public schools and academic accountability measures for students participating in the proposed voucher program, two of the biggest requests from voucher opponents.Brian Lopez and Maia PandeyFri, 03 Nov 2023 17:43:45 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/03/texas-house-school-vouchers-funding/State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Killeen, released a revised version of his priority education bill Friday. The bill calls for more funding for public schools and would create a school voucher program.State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Killeen, on the House floor on May 7, 2019.Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/31/greg-abbott-school-vouchers-house-dade-phelan/A deal between the governor and House would be a breakthrough after months of talks. But whether they actually have a deal is unclear.Zach Despart and Brian LopezTue, 31 Oct 2023 13:35:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/31/greg-abbott-school-vouchers-house-dade-phelan/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/30/private-school-expansion-texas-vouchers/With rural Texas relatively underserved by private schools, the potential for expansion could play a role in the debate over whether to let families use taxpayer money to pay for private education.Brian Lopez and Yuriko SchumacherMon, 30 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/30/private-school-expansion-texas-vouchers/A student's school supplies on the first day of in-person classes in Texas on Sept. 8, 2020.A student's school supplies on the first day of in-person classes in Texas on Sept. 8, 2020.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/27/texas-school-ratings-blocked-judge-ruling-tea/The ruling comes after dozens of school districts sued the Texas Education Agency, claiming the revised accountability system would hurt their ratings.Brian LopezFri, 27 Oct 2023 10:58:55 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/27/texas-school-ratings-blocked-judge-ruling-tea/A Travis County judge temporarily blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing school accountability ratings after dozens of school districts sued, claiming the new evaluation system would wrongly cause their ratings to drop.Nimitz Middle School students gather in the hallway outside of a classroom as they wait for a teacher between periods Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/25/texas-vouchers-house-abbott-legislature/Vouchers are the governor’s top legislative priority. But he has signaled opposition to a proposed House compromise that would tie them to increased funding for public schools.Zach Despart and Brian LopezWed, 25 Oct 2023 10:43:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/25/texas-vouchers-house-abbott-legislature/House Speaker Dade Phelan listens to state Representatives on the House floor during Sine Die, the last day of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.House Speaker Dade Phelan listens to state Representatives on the House floor during Sine Die, the last day of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/19/texas-house-voucher-school-choice-bill/House Bill 1 would make an educational savings account program available to 25,000 Texas students in its first year, with increased participation to follow. The governor’s office indicated that the proposal was lacking.William Melhado and Brian LopezThu, 19 Oct 2023 21:21:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/19/texas-house-voucher-school-choice-bill/State representatives meet on the House floor at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11.State representatives meet on the House floor at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/13/texas-school-vouchers-other-states/Like in Texas, voucher programs in other states sparked vigorous debates, came with the same promises and faced similar concerns. Not all predictions came true.Brian LopezFri, 13 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/13/texas-school-vouchers-other-states/A classroom at Chapa Middle School in Kyle on Aug. 24, 2021.An empty classroom at Chapa Middle School in Kyle on Aug. 24, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/12/texas-senate-school-vouchers-special-session/The Senate also approved Senate Bill 2, which would infuse $5.2 billion to school districts to help them with teacher raises and rising costs. Gov. Greg Abbott said he would add those items to the special session’s agenda once lawmakers approve a voucher program.Brian LopezThu, 12 Oct 2023 21:17:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/12/texas-senate-school-vouchers-special-session/Students work at their desks at Blanco Vista Elementary School in San Marcos on Monday August, 23, 2021.Students work at their desks at Blanco Vista Elementary School in San Marcos on Monday August, 23, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/09/texas-senate-vouchers-education-savings-accounts/The proposal would give families who exit the state’s public education system access to $8,000 of taxpayer money each year to pay for their children’s private schooling.Brian LopezMon, 09 Oct 2023 21:44:51 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/09/texas-senate-vouchers-education-savings-accounts/Protesters hold signs and chant in front of the Governor's Mansion during a rally against school vouchers on Oct. 7, 2023.Protesters holding signs and chanting, gathering in front of the Governor's Mansion during a rally against school vouchers on Oct. 7, 2023. Hundreds gathered to protest two days before a special session was slated to begin on Oct. 9, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/09/special-session-school-vouchers-dan-patrick-dade-phelan/Gov. Greg Abbott needs a delicate coalition of Republicans to pass his top priority. But the House and Senate leaders aren’t getting along.Zach Despart, Patrick Svitek and Brian LopezMon, 09 Oct 2023 18:16:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/09/special-session-school-vouchers-dan-patrick-dade-phelan/Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan gavels in for this year's third special session on Oct. 9, 2023.Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan gavels in the House for a third called special session on October 9, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/06/texas-education-vouchers-funding-special-session/Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to Austin to try again to pass education savings accounts, which would let families use state funds to pay for their children’s private schooling. Teacher pay was not part of his agenda.Brian Lopez, Yuriko Schumacher and Victoria StavishFri, 06 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/06/texas-education-vouchers-funding-special-session/Texas lawmakers will start a new special session Monday. Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed them to try again to pass a school voucher program, one of his legislative priorities this year. His agenda didn't include new school funding.Chyrece Campbell holds Pierce Campbell as he looks up at the rotunda at the state capitol. Chyrece and her children, also pictured, Madison, Gregory and Kennedy, are visiting the capitol on the first day of the 86th legislative session. Miguel Gutierrez Jr.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/03/houston-isd-spanish-mike-miles/For one reading class, Superintendent Mike Miles said instruction would focus on English, even if it meant risking state funding for dual-language programs. Parents say it goes further than that, adding that their kids are receiving no assistance in Spanish at all.Brian LopezTue, 03 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/03/houston-isd-spanish-mike-miles/Celina Manzano takes her children to school at Pugh Elementary School in East Houston on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.Celina Manzano takes her children to school at Pugh Elementary School in East Houston on October 2, 2023.Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/29/greg-abbott-texas-leglislature-school-vouchers/The session comes as a rift between the Texas House and the Senate grew following Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial, raising questions about the chambers’ ability to compromise on education issues. The governor has threatened to call for more special sessions if lawmakers fail to pass a “school choice” proposal.Brian Lopez and William MelhadoFri, 29 Sep 2023 21:13:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/29/greg-abbott-texas-leglislature-school-vouchers/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/23/houston-isd-superintendent-mike-miles/Miles said he should be held accountable and be fired if the district doesn’t improve academically in the next two years.Brian LopezSat, 23 Sep 2023 17:52:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/23/houston-isd-superintendent-mike-miles/Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of Houston ISD, discusses his work at the helm of Texas' largest school district at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 23, 2023.Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of Houston ISD, discusses public education in Texas' largest city with Jacob Carpenter, team leader of the Houston Landing, at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 23, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/22/dallas-mayor-eric-johnson-republican/Though the mayor’s position in Dallas is technically nonpartisan, Johnson joins Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker as one of two Republican mayors to lead a major Texas city.Joshua Fechter and Brian LopezFri, 22 Sep 2023 10:47:34 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/22/dallas-mayor-eric-johnson-republican/Moderator Chad Hasty, left, speaks with Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 22, 2023.Moderator Chad Hasty speaks with Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson about his second-term agenda and partisanship at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 22, 2023.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune