Dear Elon

Morethanany other country in the history of the world, twenty-first century United States should be functioning like a well-oiled machine.

The 501

COMMENTARYHANABA MUNN WELCHIf you find yourself driving across Texas and you’ve seenitallbefore,justimagine you’re somebody else.My cousin Idella died. I wenttoherfuneralinfaraway Dumas. For about 200 miles of mostly U. S. 287 I stayed on the phone with my friend Marilyn from New Orleans.

House proposes $7.5 billion in new school funding

AUS T I N— Critics say a House bill proposing $7.5 billion in new funding for public education doesn’t go far enough, The Dallas Morning News reported. House Bill 2 would raise the per-student allotment by $220, to $6,360 a year.

Take a bow

We come from a school with no auditorium, we practice in my classroom, sometimes the bus barn concrete floor, and sometimes in a neighborhood school’s auditorium that has closed its doors. It’s a challenge, but my kids are resilient and just adapt to our surroundings well.

Voucher bill has backing of House majority

AUSTIN— A slim majority of Texas House members have indicated they will back House Bill 3, which creates education savings accounts that allow families to use taxpayer money for private school education.

The muscle of compassion

Compassion is not a switch we can turn off and on when it is convenient. Feeling something deep in our gut when we encounter hurting people is not as simple as deciding that this time we will care. Compassion is a muscle, and this muscle grows by being exercised.

House unveils its voucher version

AUSTIN— Texas House members filed a bevy of education bills last week, including a proposed $8 billion investment in public educationandavoucherbill that ties the amount of money spent for private schooling to the dollar amount provided to public schools.

Senate sends bail reform package to the house

The Senate passed a number of bills this week intended to keep dangerous criminals behind bars instead of free on bail. Since 2021,162newhomicidecaseshavebeenfiled in Harris County alone where the defendant isallegedtohavecommittedthecrimewhile out on bond, said Houston Senator Joan Huffman.

Patrick releases 25 legislative priorities

AUSTIN— Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has released his top 25 legislative priorities as the legislative session gets underway, The Texas Tribune reported.

Windbreak trees available

Soil and Water Conservation District isnowtakingordersforhardwood and evergreen tree seedlings. These trees are great for windbreak, homesite and wildlife. The trees sold are specific to this region. They are grown by the Texas Forest Service.