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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A look at the wins rural Texas scored in this year's legislative session
There were big wins for rural Texas this legislative session as lawmakers dedicated more funding to health care, struggling farmers and emergency management. More than 3 million Texans live in rural pockets strewn across the state, from the Piney Woods in East Texas to far-flung corners in the Panhandle. However, people in rural communities are more likely to lack access to basic necessities, have a dearth of hospitals and struggle to find money for infrastructure needs. Lawmakers took strides to close those gaps this year. Some proposals did not go through, including a bill that would have prioritized applications for broadband projects that expand to underserved and unserved communities. However, there are other changes that stand to improve conditions for rural communities. Texas schools can expect an additional $8.5 billion in public education funding. House Bill 2, sponsored by state Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, gives public schools money for teacher and staff salaries. The money will also be used for training and preparing teachers, special education, safety requirements and early childhood learning. Texas has an excess of 5.5 million students attending 1,200 public school districts. The boost is expected to help financially stagnating school districts recover from their shortages, including budget deficits, keeping up with competitive salaries and operating costs. Chris Stanley, board president of the Ector County School District in the oil-and-gas producing region of the state, said he was pleased to see lawmakers pass a public school funding package in tandem with the voucher program. The district is running with a $24 million deficit to educate its 33,000 students. Stanley said the district will benefit from the extra money. However, Stanley said it was just the start to addressing the needs of public schools. 'In no way is it over,' Stanley said. Legislators also passed a private school voucher school program called the Education Savings Account, a $1 billion program that allows families to use public dollars to pay for private schools. Parents and educators have said the program could adversely affect public schools. Lawmakers addressed a flurry of water issues plaguing Texas communities this session, and some of their solutions will directly benefit rural areas. Senate Bill 7, a sweeping bill by state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, calls for more money to go toward rural Texas. The bill allows for money from the Texas Water Fund to be allocated to the Rural Water Assistance Fund, which provides small, rural water utilities with financing for water and wastewater projects. The bill also requires the Texas Water Development Board to ensure a portion of the money is used in rural areas. Lawmakers also expanded what type of projects qualify for funding through the state. This is helping South Texas officials in their two-year long quest to obtain the funding for a project that would reuse water in their drainage system. Senate Bill 1967 allows drainage projects that capture floodwater, treat it and distribute it as a new source of water to qualify for funding through the Flood Infrastructure Fund. Gov. Greg Abbott has signed the bill into law. The bill also allows drainage districts to qualify for funding through the Water Loan Assistance Program, even if they don't have historical data about water use or provide retail water service directly to consumers. While these changes to the Texas Water Code will help officials in Hidalgo County get started on construction for their project, it also helps drainage districts across the state fund similar projects. Texas lawmakers took several steps to address problems with rural health. This includes a bill that provides more support for rural hospitals. Experts say it could have helped prevent the closure of a hospital in East Texas during the legislative session. The Mid Coast Medical Center closed down its operations in Trinity, a town of about 2,400 that is 90 miles north of Houston, citing financial concerns. Rural hospital closures slowed in Texas after the state saw an influx of federal funding for rural health care as part of the national response to COVID-19. The funding has ended, but inflation hasn't, leaving many rural hospitals with tough financial choices. House Bill 18, by Rep. Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston, is known as the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act. It seeks to give more support for rural hospitals by creating a State Office of Rural Hospital Finance to provide hospitals with technical assistance. Lynn Cowles, the health and food justice director for Every Texan, a public policy institute in Texas, said the bill is good but requires a lot of oversight and monitoring. 'We do want to make sure that the bill's emphasis on administrative improvements and training is going to serve the bill's intent and not line pockets for consulting firms,' Cowles said. The bill also creates a Rural Hospital Financial Vulnerability Index and Needs Assessment, which will evaluate the financial health of rural hospitals, along with a Rural Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program and other measures. Under the bill, each hospital's reimbursement rates will be updated every two years. John Henderson, CEO of the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals, said the bill was the most significant rural health legislation in a 'generation.' He said the Medicaid rate protection, pediatric behavioral health and other changes will help rural communities. 'Because these things are now in statute, rural hospitals can count on it,' Henderson said. 'Rather than worry about uncertainty related to renewals or budget cycles.' Rural emergency services will also get a boost from lawmakers. House Bill 3000 by state Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, addresses the lack of resources for rural emergency services, which largely happens because of tight budgets that keep medical departments from affording equipment. The bill establishes a grant program for qualified rural counties to purchase ambulances as a way to strengthen emergency services and improve response times. Texas farmers will soon have access to additional state support, thanks to a bill by Sen. Stan Kitzman, R-Pattison. House Bill 43 expands both the Young Farmer Grant Program and Young Farmer Interest Rate Reduction Program, which provide money to farmers. Age restrictions were eliminated from the grant program, making the money eligible to all farmers. Changes to the interest rate reduction program will allow anyone in agriculture to apply for loans up to $1 million at an interest rate of 2%. Under the current program, only 18 to 46 year-olds can only apply for $500,000 loans at a 5% interest rate. The age restrictions were also eliminated from the grant program, which was limited to 18 to 46-year-olds. Under the bill, grantees could receive up to $500,000 while paying a 10% match. Currently, grantees can only receive $20,000 and have to fully match the grant. Businesses essential to agriculture, like cotton gins, are also now eligible to apply under the bill Kitzman said the goal is to help producers who are sitting in a tough economy to hang on. Uncertain markets, inflation and growing competition for land have made it difficult for farmers to operate. Rodney Schronk, a fifth-generation farmer from Central Texas whose family has grown cotton, corn and other commodities, tipped his hat to lawmakers for helping agriculture. 'So hopefully it's enough money that maybe — maybe — there'll be some farmers that are able to survive these difficult times,' Schronk said. As his son prepares to take over the family business, Schronk sees how the bill's expanded funding opportunities could help establish more stability in their own farm. In the coming years it may open the door to actually purchase land, rather than just lease it. Lawmakers also passed a bill directing the state's emergency division to establish a disaster recovery program. Authored by Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, House Bill 3010 makes new money available to certain counties, cities and colleges when extreme weather devastates infrastructure. The bill does not include a specific amount. Counties must have fewer than 100,000 residents to apply for this funding, which will be administered by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. To be eligible, the cost of restoring destroyed infrastructure must exceed 10% of what the county collects in state and local sales taxes. Applications must include an estimate of the total cost of the repairs and evidence that the project does not qualify for federal assistance. Leon County Judge Byron Ryder said the money will help counties like his address the immediate aftermath of natural disasters, such as flooding and hurricanes. He said counties often have to dip into their penny-pinched budgets to keep themselves afloat while they wait for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse the damages. That reimbursement is not guaranteed. Ryder said the county, with roughly 16,000 residents, has spent upwards of hundreds of thousands on previous hurricane and flooding damages, part of which has not been reimbursed. 'We're on our own for the first 72 hours [of a disaster],' Ryder said. 'Everything is spent, and then we hope we get reimbursed by FEMA.' Another bill by Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro, seeks to eliminate the disparities between rural and urban firefighting and rescue capabilities. The bill requires Texas A&M Engineering Service to conduct a study that evaluates the disparities and provide recommendations on how to improve it. Another requirement is that the study considers several factors, including available funding for personnel and equipment and the number of qualified candidates to fill new or vacant positions. The study is to be submitted by Dec. 1, 2026 to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. Lawmakers also passed a slew of bills aimed at preparing the state for wildfires and mitigating the damage. The package of legislation includes 10% of money in the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance program to go to volunteer firefighters at risk for wildfires. Disclosure: Every Texan and Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH) have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GOP Tax Bill Touts 'Trump Accounts' Giving $1,000 To Newborns — But Experts Say It Wouldn't Do Much For Parents
As the One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes its way to the Senate, one piece of the proposed bill is still stirring heated debate among parents and caregivers. This part of the proposal aims to grant every newborn in the United States a $1,000 government-funded savings account — framed as an investment in the future of America's children. Supporters claim the initiative, backed by prominent conservative lawmakers, would promote financial independence and reduce long-term reliance on government aid. But economic experts and policy analysts are sounding the alarm, warning that the bill could deepen inequality, strain federal resources and divert attention from more effective ways to help lower-income children. 'As a parent I just have to laugh,' said Rebecca Schroeder from Florida. 'This is not what we want or need, nor what we asked for. We need real policy that makes having children affordable and equitable, not this overly patriotic political move. It feels icky to me.' Under the new bill, children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2029, would receive the $1,000 deposit in an account, which would be invested in financial markets. Parents and loved ones can contribute to these accounts as well. Once the children are grown, they could withdraw the money to use for education, the down payment on a home, or capital to start a business. Previously known as 'Money Accounts for Growth and Advancement' or 'MAGA Accounts' — the Trump Accounts are not unlike a 529 college savings plan, explains Ted Callahan, a financial tax analyst with Intuit. 'The earnings on these accounts grow tax-deferred, which isn't all that different from a typical brokerage account,' he said. 'But other similar options to these accounts already exist.' Some of these already existing accounts include Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA). Like a 529, it offers tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses, including both K-12 and higher education. Another alternative is a custodial account, such as a UGMA (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act) or UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) account. These accounts don't have contribution limits, though large contributions may be subject to gift taxes. Unlike 529s and ESAs, custodial accounts can be used for any purpose that benefits the child, not just education. 'Each account type has its own pros and cons, so the right choice depends on your savings goals, how much control you want over the funds, and your tax situation,' said Callahan. If the bill passes as drafted, parents would be able to contribute up to $5,000 a year to the Trump Account and the balance would be invested in a diversified fund that tracks the U.S. stock index. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) who spearheaded the effort, said the accounts give children 'the miracle of the compound growth, the ability to accumulate wealth, which is transformational.' This comes on the heels of the Trump administration considering a $5,000 'baby bonus' gift to any woman who gives birth, which was lambasted by parents, commentators and policymakers alike for being a shortsighted bandaid for the true mental and financial stress parents are under. Though 'baby bond'-style legislation exists in numerous states already, tax experts are wary of this federal iteration. Callahan says he understands the goal behind the accounts, but doesn't necessarily see them as more or less beneficial than what already exists. This is because people can only contribute post-tax income to the accounts, and gains in the accounts would also be taxed when money was withdrawn. 'This makes this just a regular investment account with no real tax advantage,' said Callahan. 'If you want to really help parents, you would almost need to have an annual amount deposited in the accounts that were tax exempt, and that amount would need to be very significant given the increase in the cost of living, and then educate children in schools about these accounts once they are old enough so they can understand how investing works.' In the end, while the Trump Accounts were introduced with the promise of supporting American families, both tax experts and many parents remain unconvinced of their true value. Critics point out that the one-time payment structure falls short of addressing long-term financial needs like child care, health care, or education. At the same time, analysts argue that the broader tax plan surrounding the accounts primarily benefits high-income earners, with limited and temporary relief for middle- and lower-income households. As the policy takes effect, its real-world impact will ultimately determine whether it meets its stated goals — or adds to a growing divide in how tax benefits are distributed. 'We just want quality healthcare and to know that when we send our son to school he's safe,' said Schroeder. 'These accounts are not the answer, and I really wish they'd spend more time focusing on what matters to parents.' Donald Trump Openly Selling Access To Those Who Put The Most Cash In His Pocket Trump's Post About Taylor Swift Is So Immature, We Needed Child Psychologists To Explain What If We Just Gave People Enough Money To Live On?
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TN private school voucher program gets over 33K applications for 20K spots within hours of opening
The applications for the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship officially opened on May 15 at noon Central Time, and by 5:45 pm, there were more applications than available vouchers. The Tennessee Department of Education said in a press release on the evening of May 15 that over 33,000 applications were submitted for the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship within "hours of the program's launch." "This remarkable response demonstrates what we have known all along: Tennessee parents want choices when it comes to their child's education," Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement. 'I'm grateful to the General Assembly for their partnership in delivering universal school choice to families across our state, and I thank the Department of Education for their dedication to a smooth implementation." The state only has 20,000 scholarships available this year, but the number could increase by 5,000 during the next fiscal year if demand is high enough and the fiscal appropriations are made for the program. The scholarships will be awarded in the order the Department of Education received the applications, with the first 10,000 set aside for students who meet the guidelines outlined by the department. 'The response to universal school choice in Tennessee has been an overwhelming success,' said Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds in a statement. 'Families have embraced the educational opportunities that have been unleashed for their students through the state's Education Freedom Scholarship program.' Out of all the vouchers, 10,000 vouchers were open to anyone to apply for. The remaining 10,000 were reserved for families with incomes below 300% of the income limit to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is roughly $170,000 for a family of four. Scholarships for the 2025-26 school year are worth $7,295. The family would be responsible for the remainder of the tuition, but many private schools offer financial aid and other scholarships. The Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship, despite its controversy, passed during the 2025 special session in January. Lee called the special session to pass voucher, immigration and disaster relief legislation. The scholarship program passed after a years-long, controversial push by Lee. After a failed effort to pass the expansion in 2024, lawmakers ultimately passed legislation after Lee called a special session. This is the latest iteration of a private school voucher program in Tennessee, but is the first of its kind in the state to apply to all 95 counties. The Education Savings Account, established in 2019 and started during the 2022-23 school year. The ESA program only applied to K-12 students who attended public schools in the 2019-20 school year in Davidson, Shelby or Hamilton counties. Those students also could not have a family income that exceeded twice the eligibility for free lunch. For more information about the EFS Program and for additional resources, visit the EFS webpage. This is a developing story and will be updated. Brooke Muckerman is the education and children's issues reporter for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at and 901-484-6225. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Tennessee private school voucher program gets 33K applications in hours
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer launches campaign for state auditor
Sen. Chris Cournoyer, right, took the oath of office to serve as Iowa lieutenant governor Dec. 16, 2024 at the Iowa Capitol, led by Iowa Chief Justice Susan Christensen, left. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer announced Tuesday she will run for state auditor in the 2026 election. 'The people of Iowa deserve an Auditor who will protect their dollars, keep politics out of the office, and bring a business-minded, results-oriented approach to every audit,' Cournoyer said in a news release. 'That's exactly what I intend to deliver.' Cournoyer is currently Iowa's lieutenant governor, serving under Gov. Kim Reynolds. She was appointed to the position in December 2024, months after former Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg resigned and became the president and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association. Before joining the Reynolds administration, Cournoyer, of LeClaire, served as a state senator representing Iowa Senate District 35, winning reelection in the 2022. After being appointed to replace Gregg in 2024, Cournoyer is set to serve out the remainder of his term, through 2026. But she will not be elected to serve a full term as Reynolds' second-in-command, as the governor announced she will not seek reelection in April. Cournoyer was considered a potential gubernatorial candidate in Republican primary field after serving with Reynolds, among other potential candidates like Attorney General Brenna Bird, House Speaker Pat Grassley and Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, though Cournoyer did not announce any intentions to run for the position. The lieutenant governor's announcement that she will run for state auditor takes her out of this field as she seeks an office currently held by an expected Democratic gubernatorial candidate — Auditor Rob Sand. Sand has not officially entered the gubernatorial race, but is expected to run after accumulating significant campaign funds heading into the 2026 election cycle. This means he will likely not face Cournoyer in a reelection race for state auditor — but Cournoyer criticized Sand's time holding the position in her campaign announcement. 'As Iowa continues to cut taxes and streamline government, the Auditor's Office must lead by example and serve as a true watchdog for the taxpayer — not a political weapon,' Cournoyer said in a statement. 'It's time for an Auditor who prioritizes transparency, efficiency, and results over headlines and partisanship.' Sand is the only Democrat to hold statewide elected office in Iowa. As auditor, a position charged with auditing state agencies and launching investigations into government spending, Republicans have accused Sand of pursuing certain audits, like one into the state's Education Savings Account program providing state funding for private school tuition and associated costs, because of his political opposition to program. Cournoyer said 'an auditor should serve all Iowans — not just one party or one cause.' 'Taxpayer dollars should never be used to campaign, and oversight should never be driven by political bias,' Cournoyer said. Sand has repeatedly pushed back against claims that certain audits are used for partisan purposes. He and Democrats in the Legislature have argued Republicans are curtailing the office's ability to perform its duties, because a Democrat holds the office, through recent laws restricting the auditor's office access to certain information and ability to go to court. Cournoyer said if elected, she would take steps to make the auditor's office more efficient by integrating artificial intelligence technology into the auditing process, promoting the state's transparency portal, and making 'the Auditor's Office a home for recommendations emerging from the Governor's DOGE Task Force on modernizing government operations.' Reynolds officially launched the state Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force in February, modeled after the federal DOGE headed by Elon Musk, to identify savings and areas for improvement in local and state government. Cournoyer said she has experience working to improve government efficiency during her time in the Legislature as one of the leaders of Reynolds' 2023 government realignment law that consolidated and cut the state's 37 executive-level cabinet agencies to 16. Reynolds praised Cournoyer in a statement Tuesday and endorsed her in her campaign for auditor. 'Chris is a true fiscal conservative with a strong record of improving government efficiencies and accountability,' Reynolds said. 'Her background in technology and her unwavering commitment to taxpayers makes her an ideal watchdog every Iowan can trust. Iowans can rest assured Chris Cournoyer will always have their best interests at heart.'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Votes fail to overturn vetoes of library bill, private school funding
Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, testifies in favor of a bill to address explicit content from school and public libraries during a committee hearing on Feb. 10, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Two vetoes by Gov. Kelly Armstrong stood up to challenges in the North Dakota Legislature on Friday. Armstrong vetoed Senate Bill 2307, a library obscenity bill, and House Bill 1540, that would have used taxpayer dollars to support private school tuition vouchers. A two-thirds majority was needed to override the vetoes. The library bill got fewer votes in the Senate on Friday than it had when the bill passed, despite the pleas of bill sponsor Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, and other supporters. Armstrong vetoed the private school funding but urged lawmakers to advance a broader school Education Savings Account bill. But that bill, Senate Bill 2400, failed in a House vote late Thursday. The tuition vouchers bill passed the House 49-43 on Monday. Friday's attempt to override the veto in the House failed 48-45. Lawmakers began the legislative session with five Education Savings Account bills, but none of the proposals remain under consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
