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CBS News
6 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Watch Live: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to sign historic school funding bill
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is set to sign the largest public school funding increase in state history on Wednesday. Late last month, lawmakers unanimously approved House Bill 2, which allocates $8.5 billion in new funding for public education. Roughly half of that amount will go toward permanent pay raises for most teachers and non-administrative staff. Republicans have said the $8.5 billion increase in public school funding represents the largest single increase in state history. About half of this new money, $4.2 billion, is for teacher pay raises, the largest in state history. An additional $500 million will go to school districts so they can provide raises to entry-level teachers and other non-administrative staff. The legislation also includes a significant overhaul of the state's special education programs, aiming to improve services and support for students with disabilities. How to watch Gov. Greg Abbott sign historic school funding bill What: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to sign historic school funding bill Date: June 4 Time: 3 p.m. Location: Salado, Texas Online stream: Live on CBS News Texas in the player above and on your mobile or streaming device. Note: Streaming plans are subject to change
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas House, Senate lawmakers reach $8.5 billion school funding deal
House and Senate lawmakers are poised to announce a deal on an $8.5 billion funding package for Texas public schools that would preserve the upper chamber's push for a modest $55 per–student increase to districts' base funding, while giving schools more than $1 billion to pay for fixed costs like utilities and transportation. The deal, confirmed by three lawmakers familiar with the discussions, appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers, which had been divided by the House's bid to give schools a bigger increase in base per-student funding and the Senate's desire to more narrowly prioritize teacher pay raises. The package in House Bill 2 would be a historic investment in public schools, though school administrators and advocates say it is long overdue, pointing to the budget shortfalls facing districts across the state amid inflationary pressures and six years of stagnant base per-student funding. Much of that funding, known as the basic allotment, is used to pay the salaries of full-time district employees, not just teachers. The funding also gives districts flexibility to pay for a range of other needs, including insurance, maintenance and instructional materials. Rather than raising the basic allotment beyond the $55 proposed by the Senate, the latest deal would set aside $1.2 billion for a fund to cover some fixed costs, lawmakers said — essentially providing a different way to give districts the spending flexibility they had hoped for. A Republican source familiar with the negotiations said the deal would also include $4.2 billion to hike teacher pay and $500 million for raises for other school employees. It also includes $100 million for windstorm property insurance for coastal districts. School districts view property insurance as one of the hardest costs to control, according to a recent survey by the Texas Association of School Business Officials. Details of the negotiations were first reported by The Dallas Morning News. The full legislation has yet to be released publicly. Rep. Brad Buckley, chair of the House Public Education Committee, told reporters on Wednesday that he believes the new bill will address factors directly driving up education costs while prioritizing classroom needs. 'It's about safe schools. It's about early education — early literacy and numeracy — to make sure those kids learn more. It's about career and technical education, and then it's about investing in our teachers,' the Salado Republican said. 'We know that the best way to get great outcomes is to have great teachers in front of a class, and this will incentivize them to stay in the classroom, perfect their craft and become the best professionals they can be.' A previous House proposal had sought to boost the basic allotment from $6,160 to $6,555 per student. Senators, however, wanted a more modest basic allotment increase and to give educators raises through the following system: Teachers with 3-4 years of experience in school districts with 5,000 or fewer students would receive a $5,000 raise, while those with five or more years of teaching on their resume would earn $10,000. Teachers with 3-4 of experience in school districts with more than 5,000 students would earn a $2,500 raise, while those with five or more years of experience would receive $5,500. The Senate's funding proposal would exclude raises for first- and second-year instructors and other essential employees, like bus drivers, cooks, librarians and nurses. Direct state investment in teacher salaries, senators argued, would free up districts to use more of their base funding elsewhere, including salaries for support staff and campus maintenance. But that argument has not gone over well with school leaders, many of whom have adopted budget deficits in droves and are considering closing schools in no small part because of soaring inflation and stagnant funding. Rep. Gene Wu, the Houston Democrat who chairs the House Democratic Caucus, told The Texas Tribune on Wednesday that based on what he has heard about the bill details so far, 'the Senate's getting everything that they wanted.' 'The original HB 2 was like a four-month negotiation among all the stakeholders to find a bill that does what it's supposed to do for all school districts, which is keep everyone afloat for now,' Wu said. 'They've gone and purposely done things that basically people have asked them not to do.' This is a developing story; check back for details. Rob Reid contributed to this story. 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!
Fox News
13-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Fox News
McDonald's chef reveals why coffee from fast-food giant tastes so good
Print Close By Gretchen Eichenberg Published May 13, 2025 Coffee aficionados probably weren't expecting to read news items about McDonald's McCafé, yet the fast-food giant made headlines this month for its coffee's understated quality and loyal cult following. "It's consistently good," Donna Locklin, of Salado, Texas, told Fox News Digital. She started drinking McDonald's coffee about 20 years ago, she said, when she became eligible for the 25-cent "senior cup," but it quickly became one of her favorite brews. WHAT IS MUSHROOM COFFEE? CAFFEINE ALTERNATIVE OFFERS SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS "It's not too strong but has a rich brown color," she said. "It's never bitter and always fresh. And if it's ever not fresh, they will make you a fresh pot on the spot." Locklin isn't alone in her sentiments. McDonald's coffee drinkers have also taken to social media for some serious java talk. "Why is McDonald's coffee almost always better tasting than just about anything I buy and brew myself?" one Reddit user asked. MCDONALD'S SECRET DRINK ITEM WITH 'COTTON CANDY FLAVOR' GOES VIRAL "Don't be ashamed," another user responded. "I like it, too." "Can't be beat for the price," another person wrote on Reddit. "We're paying attention to all the details to help ensure the best result." With coffee options available on nearly every corner these days, what makes McCafé special? McDonald's chef Mike Lingo revealed some of the history and science behind the blend in an interview with Fox News Digital. "Coffee has been on McDonald's menu since 1948, when the menu had just nine items," he said. FAST-FOOD MENU ITEMS THAT CHEFS LIKE TO EAT "Over the years, we've worked to perfect the blend to give it the delicious, great flavor it has today. From the selection of our beans and quality of our roast to the equipment we use, we're paying attention to all the details to help ensure the best result." Lingo shared that McDonald's uses 100% Arabica coffee beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms or from farms participating in the McCafé Sustainability Improvement Platform (SIP) program. "This blend is specifically made just for McDonald's McCafé," he said. "It's a medium-dark roast with a full-body fruity, floral and chocolate note." Lingo said he's not surprised that McDonald's is appreciated for its coffee just as much as its iconic Quarter Pounder and fries. "Nothing compares to starting your morning with a delicious cup of coffee, and we've spent decades perfecting it." "While people love our burgers and fries, when we first open our doors in the morning, we're a breakfast restaurant," Lingo said. "Nothing compares to starting your morning with a delicious cup of coffee, and we've spent decades perfecting it." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER There's not one closely guarded secret to McDonald's coffee, Lingo said. It's a combination of things that keeps customers coming back. "At McDonald's, we're focusing on making sure the little things are done right," he said. "We have great partnerships in place to ensure that we are selecting the best beans for our blends and roast levels to bring out that great flavor." For more Lifestyle articles, visit Though the price of the senior cup has gone up, Locklin and her three sisters, who all live in different cities, still meet up regularly for coffee at McDonald's. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "It's always just right," she said. Print Close URL
