Senate backs prayer time, Ten Commandments in classrooms
The Texas Senate last week passed a bill to allow school districts to set aside time for in-school prayer and gave initial approval to requiring all schools to post a copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that the two measures were priorities of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over that chamber.
House proposes $7.5 billion in new school funding
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. It would also invest $750 million in teacher pay and $450 million in teacher training.
Voucher bill has backing of House majority
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 Dallas Morning News reported that 75 Republican legislators have signed on with the bill’s author, state Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, to support the measure.
Patrick releases 25 legislative priorities
