Latest news with #TexasComptroller'sOffice
CBS News
04-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
State Democrats may take legal action against Texas to block new school choice law
While dozens of Texas Republican lawmakers and those in the school choice movement will attend the historic ceremony, Democrats are considering their next move to attempt to block the bill. Texas Democratic Party chairman Kendall Scudder told me Democrats are considering taking legal action against the state to keep the education savings account bill from taking effect. In an interview with Jack Fink, Scudder said, "There isn't a lot that we can do on the policy front other than trying to litigate, which you very well may see. We're going to do everything and use every tool within our wheelhouse to try to protect community public schools from this onslaught of billionaires that are trying to keep our kids uneducated so they can keep their wages low... But let's be honest, it's a bit of a Hail Mary right now." The one-billion-dollar program will provide tax dollars for Texas students to attend private schools. Republicans say they are giving priority to disabled students and those from low-income families. However, Democrats say they believe most students who will enroll in the program will be from wealthy families and already attend private school. Texas Republican Party chairman Abraham George told Jack Fink he would welcome any lawsuit from the Democrats. "So the messaging to those parents is well, your kids are stuck in a failing school because you cannot afford to send them to a private school or a charter school or something else," said George. "So if that's what they want to take to the court and to the public square, I'm glad they're doing it because that will get more people to come to the Republican side and say, ok, we want a free market, we want school choice." The Texas Comptroller's Office is now charged with setting up this program, including setting the private schools that will take part, figuring out how parents can apply, and following the criteria set by lawmakers on how students will be selected. The law will go into effect during the 2026-27 school year.
CBS News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Texas Senate passes school choice bill; bill heads to Gov. Abbott to be signed
The Texas Senate has passed the controversial school choice bill with a vote of 19-12. Texas lawmakers convened Thursday to vote on the bill again. It was approved roughly a week ago by the House in a historic vote. It was the first time the House gave the green light to a bill that will give taxpayer money to students to attend private school. The Senate approved similar legislation multiple times, including earlier this year by a margin of 19-12. As part of the $1 billion bill, most students who attend an accredited private school will receive $10,000 per year. Students with disabilities will receive up to $30,000 per year, and home-schooled students will get $2,000 a year. Republicans said the bill prioritizes low-income students and those with disabilities. Democrats said they believe at the end of the day, most of the students who take part in the program will be wealthier students who attend private school now. Gov. Greg Abbott has said repeatedly he was confident the bill would pass this legislative season. "It's common sense for Texas to be among the two-thirds of the states in the United States that support school choice," Abbott said last week. The bill now heads to Abbott to be signed. The Texas Comptroller's Office will develop and administer the education savings account program. It is slated to take effect for the 2026-27 school year.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
North Houston: 12 arrested in police raid at unlicensed after-hours club, police say
The Brief The raid happened early Saturday at a club on West Gulf Bank Road. Officials say the club owner, managers, bartenders, and unlicensed security guards are among those arrested. This is the latest in raids targeting after-hours clubs in Houston. HOUSTON - A raid at an unlicensed Houston nightclub has led to the arrest of the club owner among 11 other people, according to police. What we know The raid happened at about 3 a.m. Saturday morning at the Plaza 45 nightclub on West Bank Road near the North Freeway. Police Captain Ryan Watson says 12 people were arrested during the raid: The club owner Two managers Four bartenders Two unlicensed security guards Three patrons with outstanding warrants According to Capt. Watson, the club was not permitted to sell alcoholic beverages at all, let alone past 2 a.m. Undercover agents have reportedly purchased beverages at the club on several occasions. A search warrant for the club was obtained on Friday morning, and it was executed with the overnight raid. What we don't know None of the suspects have been identified at this time. What's next "Tonight, all the illicit beverages are going to be confiscated and disposed of, according to Texas Alcoholic Beverage code," said Capt. Watson. "And we're going to be in touch with the owner of the real property here - the owner of the strip center - informing him that there's an illegal club operating on his property, and then require him to bring that property into compliance." Capt. Watson also says the Texas Comptroller's Office will look into more potential charges against the club owner and the managers. Everyone arrested in this operation will be booked into the Harris County Jail. Dig deeper This operation is the latest in a string of police raids that have happened in the Houston area. On April 2, local and federal law enforcement raided 30 illegal game rooms across the city. Forty-five people were arrested, including a 61-year-old Richmond man who was allegedly leading a multi-million-dollar scheme involving the game rooms. On March 20, Fridas Sports Bar on McCarty Street was raided after allegations of human trafficking and prostitution. Twenty-five possible trafficking victims were interviewed during that operation. On March 15, an after-hours strip club called "The Library" was raided by Houston and Harris County law enforcement. Officials at the scene said the club had "no business permit, no alcohol permit, no license whatsoever." Twelve people were reportedly arrested during that operation. Following the Library raid, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said that was the start of an initiative against unlicensed sexually-oriented businesses in Houston. The Source OnScene, Houston Police Captain Ryan Watson, and previous FOX 26 reporting.
CBS News
31-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
How would the Texas school choice program work? Republicans push to pass bill
A controversial education savings account proposal, commonly known as school choice or school vouchers, is once again making waves at the Texas Capitol, with House Bill 3 advancing through the legislative process and a committee vote expected Tuesday. If passed, the bill would provide eligible families with public funds to help pay for private school tuition. Most students would receive just over $10,000, with higher amounts available for those with disabilities. Homeschooling families could receive up to $2,000. The money would come from state tax dollars, with lawmakers proposing to allocate $1 billion from Texas' budget surplus for the program. Backed primarily by Republicans and championed by Gov. Greg Abbott , the school choice effort has faced stiff opposition in the past. In 2023, Abbott called two special sessions to push the bill forward, but resistance from Democrats and more than a dozen Republicans ultimately stalled the legislation. Now, with the Texas Legislature back in session and a new Speaker of the House — Dustin Burrows — supporters are hopeful. Burrows has publicly declared his intention to vote in favor of the bill , signaling growing momentum. If passed, the program would go into effect during the 2026–2027 school year, giving the Texas Comptroller's Office one year to implement the logistics and educate the public. Still, opposition remains, particularly from rural lawmakers who fear the measure could siphon funds away from public schools. Should the House pass its version of House Bill 3, lawmakers will still need to reconcile it with the Senate's version before sending it to the governor's desk for final approval. The outcome could reshape education in Texas—if supporters can overcome the final legislative hurdles. Watch "The Learning Curve with Lacey Beasley" every weekday morning during CBS News Texas Mornings at 6 a.m.
