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<input name="q" type="text" value="" placeholder="SEARCH"> <button type="search" alt="Do Search"> <i class="icon-search"></i> </button> </form> </div> </li> <li class="mobile-only active" id="mobi_join"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/join/"> Support Us </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="ad last"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/join/" title="Contribute Today" style="display: block; padding-top: .5em"> <div style="background:url(//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/membership/TT-supportus-flag.png) no-repeat; width: 120px; height:60px; background-size: 120px 60px;"></div> </a> </div> <div class="below_nav"> <h1 id="logo"><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/logo.png" width="453" height="50" alt="The Texas Tribune"></a></h1> <time datetime="2015-04-09T12:47:29.401492">Thursday, April 9, 2015</time> </div> </header> </div> <div class="wrapper content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content "> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <header class="auxiliary content_header"> <ul class="actions"> <li class="rss"> <a type="application/rss+xml" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/feeds/staff/morgan-smith/">RSS <span></span></a> </li> </ul> <h1>Morgan Smith <span>Reporter</span></h1> </header> <div class="intro"> <div class="media headshot_portrait"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Morgan_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox inline"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Morgan_jpg_131x197_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""/> </a> </div> <p> <strong>Morgan Smith</strong> reports on politics and education for the Tribune, which she joined in November 2009. She writes about the effects of the state budget, school finance reform, accountability and testing in Texas public schools. Her political coverage has included congressional and legislative races, as well as Gov. Rick Perry's presidential campaign, which she followed to Iowa and New Hampshire. In 2013, she received a National Education Writers Association award for "Death of a District," a series on school closures. After earning a bachelor's degree in English from Wellesley College, she moved to Austin in 2008 to enter law school at the University of Texas. A San Antonio native, her work has also appeared in Slate, where she spent a year as an editorial intern in Washington D.C. </p> <ul class="social_links"> <li><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#09647a64607d61497d6c71687a7d7b606b7c676c27667b6e"> <i class="icon-envelope"></i> <span><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c4a9b7a9adb0ac84b0a1bca5b7b0b6ada6b1aaa1eaabb6a3">[email protected]</span><script cf-hash="f9e31" type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */!function(){try{var t="currentScript"in document?document.currentScript:function(){for(var t=document.getElementsByTagName("script"),e=t.length;e--;)if(t[e].getAttribute("cf-hash"))return t[e]}();if(t&&t.previousSibling){var e,r,n,i,c=t.previousSibling,a=c.getAttribute("data-cfemail");if(a){for(e="",r=parseInt(a.substr(0,2),16),n=2;a.length-n;n+=2)i=parseInt(a.substr(n,2),16)^r,e+=String.fromCharCode(i);e=document.createTextNode(e),c.parentNode.replaceChild(e,c)}}}catch(u){}}();/* ]]> */</script></span> </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/tel:512.716.8620"> <i class="icon-phone"></i> <span>512.716.8620</span> </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://twitter.com/MorganSmith" target="_blank"> <i class="icon-twitter"></i> <span>@MorganSmith</span> </a></li> </ul> </div> <section id="contributions"> <a name="contributions"></a> <h2>Recent Contributions</h2> <div class="contributions"> <nav class="pagination"> <ul class="pagination"><li class="disabled"><span class="disabled prev"><span>&lsaquo;</span> previous</span></li><li><span class="current page">1</span></li><li><a href="?page=2#contributions" class="page">2</a></li><li><a href="?page=3#contributions" class="page">3</a></li><li><a href="?page=4#contributions" class="page">4</a></li><li><a class="disabled">…</a></li><li><a href="?page=46#contributions" class="page">46</a></li><li><a href="?page=47#contributions" class="page">47</a></li><li><a href="?page=48#contributions" class="page">48</a></li><li><a href="?page=49#contributions" class="page">49</a></li><li class="last"><a href="?page=2#contributions" class="next">next <span>&rsaquo;</span></a></li></ul> </nav> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/08/house-conservatives-mount-charge-against-prek-bill/">Spurning Tea Party Opposition, House Passes Pre-K Bill</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/08/house-conservatives-mount-charge-against-prek-bill/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/26/_01F0435_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. Dan Huberty R-Humble, votes on one of the 165 amendments to HB5 on March 26th, 2013"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/26/_01F0435_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Dan Huberty R-Humble, votes on one of the 165 amendments to HB5 on March 26th, 2013" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Dan Huberty R-Humble, votes on one of the 165 amendments to HB5 on March 26th, 2013</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 8 Apr 2015 15:52:59 -0500" title="2015-04-08 15:52"> April 8, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/08/house-conservatives-mount-charge-against-prek-bill/comments/"><span class="value">39</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Key early education legislation backed by Republican Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> overwhelmingly passed the House Wednesday after surviving multiple challenges from Tea Party-backed representatives. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/08/house-conservatives-mount-charge-against-prek-bill/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/aycock-presents-details-school-finance-plan/">Aycock Presents Details of School Finance Plan</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/aycock-presents-details-school-finance-plan/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/31/HS055Aycock_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="House Public Education Committee chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, on the floor during House Bill 1 debate March 31, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/31/HS055Aycock_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="House Public Education Committee chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, on the floor during House Bill 1 debate March 31, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">House Public Education Committee chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, on the floor during House Bill 1 debate March 31, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 7 Apr 2015 17:14:48 -0500" title="2015-04-07 17:14"> April 7, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/aycock-presents-details-school-finance-plan/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Most Texas school districts would see increased funding under proposed changes to the state's public education funding system, House Public Education Chairman <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/jimmie-don-aycock/">Jimmie Don Aycock</a>, R-Killeen, said Tuesday.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/aycock-presents-details-school-finance-plan/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/03/houston-dallas-would-become-largest-cities-allow-o/">Houston, Dallas Would Be Largest Cities to Allow Open Carry</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/03/houston-dallas-would-become-largest-cities-allow-o/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/16/MP3_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/16/MP3_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a>, <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jolie-mccullough/">Jolie McCullough</a> and <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 3 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-03 06:00"> April 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/03/houston-dallas-would-become-largest-cities-allow-o/comments/"><span class="value">54</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>A Tribune analysis of gun laws nationwide shows passing "open carry" legislation would make Texas an outlier among states with large urban populations. Many of the nation's biggest cities are located in states that prohibit it. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/03/houston-dallas-would-become-largest-cities-allow-o/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/texas-house-avoids-voucher-vote/">Texas House Avoids Voucher Vote in Budget Debate</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/texas-house-avoids-voucher-vote/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/SchoolVoucher_2_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/SchoolVoucher_2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Todd Wiseman / Chris Cole</cite> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 31 Mar 2015 22:27:52 -0500" title="2015-03-31 22:27"> March 31, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/texas-house-avoids-voucher-vote/comments/"><span class="value">18</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>The Texas House </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/texas-house-vouchers/">was poised to take a vote</a><span> banning private school vouchers as it adopted the state budget Tuesday. </span><span>But about nine hours into the debate, the lawmaker carrying the measure withdrew it from consideration.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/texas-house-avoids-voucher-vote/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/house-budget-debate/">Budget Debate Tackles School Funding, Incentive Programs</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/house-budget-debate/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/31/HBOne189_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, carries literature laying out House Bill 1 as he prepares to discuss the appropriations bill on the House floor March 31, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/31/HBOne189_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, carries literature laying out House Bill 1 as he prepares to discuss the appropriations bill on the House floor March 31, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, carries literature laying out House Bill 1 as he prepares to discuss the appropriations bill on the House floor March 31, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> and <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:55:22 -0500" title="2015-03-31 14:55"> March 31, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/house-budget-debate/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>With more than 350 proposed amendments before then, the Texas House is likely to go well into the evening before getting to a final vote on the $210 billion budget. Early discussions addressed school funding and incentives programs.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/house-budget-debate/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/texas-house-vouchers/">Texas House Set to Make Anti-Voucher Play</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/texas-house-vouchers/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/SchoolVoucher_2_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/SchoolVoucher_2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Todd Wiseman / Chris Cole</cite> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:33:38 -0500" title="2015-03-30 12:33"> March 30, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/texas-house-vouchers/comments/"><span class="value">36</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Lawmakers in the Texas House</span><span> </span><span>w</span><span>ill have a chance to draw a line in the sand over</span><strong> </strong><span>private school vouchers during the upcoming battle over the budget Tuesday.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/texas-house-vouchers/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/senate-lawmakers-hear-private-school-voucher-bills/">Long Legislative Road for Voucher Bills Begins</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/senate-lawmakers-hear-private-school-voucher-bills/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/25/PatrickDanSB8cms_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick listens to debate on SB 8 franchise tax reform measure during Senate action March 25, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/25/PatrickDanSB8cms_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick listens to debate on SB 8 franchise tax reform measure during Senate action March 25, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick listens to debate on SB 8 franchise tax reform measure during Senate action March 25, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 26 Mar 2015 18:12:59 -0500" title="2015-03-26 18:12"> March 26, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/senate-lawmakers-hear-private-school-voucher-bills/comments/"><span class="value">88</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>A preview of the looming battle over school vouchers played out Thursday as a state Senate panel considered two proposals to provide state financial support to parents who want to send their children to private schools.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/26/senate-lawmakers-hear-private-school-voucher-bills/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/texas-house-will-tackle-school-finance-session/">Texas House Will Tackle School Finance This Session</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/texas-house-will-tackle-school-finance-session/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/22/UP9A9262_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, in Austin on Jan. 22, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/22/UP9A9262_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, in Austin on Jan. 22, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, in Austin on Jan. 22, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:13:15 -0500" title="2015-03-25 11:13"> March 25, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/texas-house-will-tackle-school-finance-session/comments/"><span class="value">12</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>With a plan that would add $3 billion to the state's public education budget, the Texas House has decided to take on school finance reform this legislative session.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/texas-house-will-tackle-school-finance-session/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/patrick-and-straus-top-20-priority-bills/">A Look at the Priority Bills for Straus and Patrick</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/patrick-and-straus-top-20-priority-bills/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/20/StrausPatrick_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="House Speaker Joe Straus (left) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/20/StrausPatrick_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="House Speaker Joe Straus (left) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> <div class="photo_caption">House Speaker Joe Straus (left) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a>, <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a> and <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/">Becca Aaronson</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 23 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-23 06:00"> March 23, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/patrick-and-straus-top-20-priority-bills/comments/"><span class="value">14</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Here's a breakdown of House Bills 1-20 and Senate Bills 1-20, providing a window into where House Speaker <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/joe-straus/">Joe Straus</a> and Lt. Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a> are placing their priorities for the 84th legislative session.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/patrick-and-straus-top-20-priority-bills/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/texas-considers-parent-trigger-law/">Texas Lawmakers Consider "Parent Trigger" Schools Law</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/texas-considers-parent-trigger-law/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Seats_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Seats_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 19 Mar 2015 18:13:14 -0500" title="2015-03-19 18:13"> March 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/texas-considers-parent-trigger-law/comments/"><span class="value">45</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>Hoping to prompt quicker turnarounds at struggling schools, Texas lawmakers are considering a controversial policy that would let parents petition the state to make changes at their kids' campuses. </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/texas-considers-parent-trigger-law/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/campus-carry-debate-hits-senate-floor/">Campus Carry Gets Initial OK in Senate</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/campus-carry-debate-hits-senate-floor/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/7C2A4712_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Sen. Kirk Watson speaks with the author of Senate Bill 11, Sen. Brian Birdwell, as Sen. Joan Huffman listens on. The Senate's campus carry debate began on Mar. 18, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/18/7C2A4712_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Sen. Kirk Watson speaks with the author of Senate Bill 11, Sen. Brian Birdwell, as Sen. Joan Huffman listens on. The Senate's campus carry debate began on Mar. 18, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Sen. Kirk Watson speaks with the author of Senate Bill 11, Sen. Brian Birdwell, as Sen. Joan Huffman listens on. The Senate's campus carry debate began on Mar. 18, 2015.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:19:01 -0500" title="2015-03-18 12:19"> March 18, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/campus-carry-debate-hits-senate-floor/comments/"><span class="value">85</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Following a preliminary Senate vote on Wednesday, Texas is now a step closer to requiring public colleges and universities to allow concealed handguns on campus — a policy opposed by many higher education leaders. </span></p> <p><span> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/campus-carry-debate-hits-senate-floor/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/graduation-panel-bill-passes-texas-senate/">Bill Creating Graduation Panels Passes Texas Senate</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/graduation-panel-bill-passes-texas-senate/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasEducation_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasEducation_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:44:41 -0500" title="2015-03-17 12:44"> March 17, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/graduation-panel-bill-passes-texas-senate/comments/"><span class="value">13</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>High school seniors who have failed their state exams may still have a shot at earning a diploma. A bill providing them a way around the requirement continues to advance in the Texas Legislature.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/graduation-panel-bill-passes-texas-senate/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/texas-senate-considers-key-gun-bill/">Texas Senate Approves Open Carry of Handguns</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/texas-senate-considers-key-gun-bill/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/UP9A0917_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Jason Orsek with Come and Take it America wears a cloth gun holder with a photo of a gun imprinted on it at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 12, 2015, when the Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on gun-related bills."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/12/UP9A0917_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Jason Orsek with Come and Take it America wears a cloth gun holder with a photo of a gun imprinted on it at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 12, 2015, when the Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on gun-related bills." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Jason Orsek with Come and Take it America wears a cloth gun holder with a photo of a gun imprinted on it at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 12, 2015, when the Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on gun-related bills.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 16 Mar 2015 14:43:47 -0500" title="2015-03-16 14:43"> March 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/texas-senate-considers-key-gun-bill/comments/"><span class="value">88</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>A bill lifting some of the state's restrictions on handguns passed easily on a 20-11 vote after repeated Democratic efforts to amend it were defeated. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/texas-senate-considers-key-gun-bill/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/plan-grade-schools-f-faces-fight-senate-hearing/">Senators Share Concerns About A-F Grades for Schools</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/plan-grade-schools-f-faces-fight-senate-hearing/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/10/TexTrib-READING-025_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A reading assistant reads on the classroom floor with a small group of fourth graders at Wanke Elementary School in San Antonio on March 9, 2012."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/10/TexTrib-READING-025_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A reading assistant reads on the classroom floor with a small group of fourth graders at Wanke Elementary School in San Antonio on March 9, 2012." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Jennifer Whitney</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A reading assistant reads on the classroom floor with a small group of fourth graders at Wanke Elementary School in San Antonio on March 9, 2012.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 12 Mar 2015 13:03:55 -0500" title="2015-03-12 13:03"> March 12, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/plan-grade-schools-f-faces-fight-senate-hearing/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>During a Senate Education Committee hearing Thursday, lawmakers questioned whether </span><span>A-through-F ratings for schools would provide a clear picture of a school's performance.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/plan-grade-schools-f-faces-fight-senate-hearing/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=""> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/house-education-committee-consider-pre-k-bills/">Talk Turns to Standards as Lawmakers Weigh Pre-K Bills</a></h1> </header> <div class="media story_page"> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/house-education-committee-consider-pre-k-bills/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/18/DISDPre-K9_jpg_260x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Students in Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda's class sing to practice their language skills at the Dallas Independent School District Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Dallas, Texas."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/18/DISDPre-K9_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Students in Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda's class sing to practice their language skills at the Dallas Independent School District Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Dallas, Texas." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Robert W. Hart</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Students in Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda's class sing to practice their language skills at the Dallas Independent School District Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Dallas, Texas.</div> </div> <header> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a> and <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 10 Mar 2015 17:37:38 -0500" title="2015-03-10 17:37"> March 10, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/house-education-committee-consider-pre-k-bills/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p>As legislators considered several early education bills Tuesday afternoon, testimony was dominated by a debate over what standards school districts should meet to get additional state funding for pre-kindergarten programs.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/house-education-committee-consider-pre-k-bills/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <nav class="pagination"> <ul class="pagination"><li class="disabled"><span class="disabled prev"><span>&lsaquo;</span> previous</span></li><li><span class="current page">1</span></li><li><a href="?page=2#contributions" class="page">2</a></li><li><a href="?page=3#contributions" class="page">3</a></li><li><a href="?page=4#contributions" class="page">4</a></li><li><a class="disabled">…</a></li><li><a href="?page=46#contributions" class="page">46</a></li><li><a href="?page=47#contributions" class="page">47</a></li><li><a href="?page=48#contributions" class="page">48</a></li><li><a href="?page=49#contributions" class="page">49</a></li><li class="last"><a 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datetime="Tue, 13 Aug 2013 18:00:00 -0500" title="2013-08-13 18:00"> Aug. 13, 2013 </time></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/13/brief-texas-political-news-aug-13-2013/">The Brief: Texas Political News for Aug. 13, 2013</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 13 Aug 2013 07:07:22 -0500" title="2013-08-13 07:07"> Aug. 13, 2013 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/13/brief-texas-political-news-aug-13-2013/comments/"><span class="value">17</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/12/brief-texas-political-news-aug-12-2013/">The Brief: Texas Political News for Aug. 12, 2013</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 12 Aug 2013 07:13:34 -0500" title="2013-08-12 07:13"> Aug. 12, 2013 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/12/brief-texas-political-news-aug-12-2013/comments/"><span class="value">35</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/06/24/evening-brief-texas-headlines-june-21-2013/">The Evening Brief: Texas Headlines for June 24, 2013</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:17:16 -0500" title="2013-06-24 17:17"> June 24, 2013 </time></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/02/06/texplainer-has-state-spending-schools-increased/">Texplainer: Has State Spending on Schools Increased?</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 6 Feb 2013 06:00:00 -0600" title="2013-02-06 06:00"> Feb. 6, 2013 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150409174730/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/02/06/texplainer-has-state-spending-schools-increased/comments/"><span class="value">19</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </dd> </dl> </section> <section class="sidebar_block content_list"> <header> <h1>Morgan’s Favorite Websites</h1> </header> <ul class="blog-roll"> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/" class="external">Burkablog</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.scotxblog.com/" class="external">Supreme Court of Texas Blog</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/" class="external">Texas Politics</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://slatest.slate.com/" class="external">Slatest</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/" class="external">The Fix</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor.html" class="external">The XX Factor</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.niemanlab.org/" class="external">Niemanlab</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.nytimes.com/timeswire/" class="external">Timeswire</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.theawl.com/" class="external">The Awl</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="sidebar_block content_list"> <header> <h1>Morgan’s Wire</h1> </header> <dl> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2014/08/cruz-pokes-fun-at-perrys-oops-moment/">Cruz pokes fun at Perry’s ‘oops’ moment</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2014/08/cruz-pokes-fun-at-perrys-oops-moment/">Houston Chronicle</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Mon, 11 Aug 2014 00:13:13 -0500" title="2014-08-11 00:13"> Aug. 11, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2014/08/10/texas-principal-fired-for-telling-students-to-speak-english-n1876574">Fired Texas Principal Speaks Out: ‘It Would Be Bes</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2014/08/10/texas-principal-fired-for-telling-students-to-speak-english-n1876574">Town Hall</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:24:26 -0500" title="2014-08-10 22:24"> Aug. 10, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.chron.com/news/education/article/Texas-school-ratings-show-best-and-worst-5676883.php">Texas school ratings show best and worst</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.chron.com/news/education/article/Texas-school-ratings-show-best-and-worst-5676883.php">Houston Chronicle</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:23:42 -0500" title="2014-08-10 22:23"> Aug. 10, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/aug/09/cruz-perry-rally-gop-base/">Cruz, Perry rally GOP base</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/aug/09/cruz-perry-rally-gop-base/">Associated Press</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:07:50 -0500" title="2014-08-10 22:07"> Aug. 10, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/state-politics/20140808-with-national-ambitions-ted-cruz-and-rick-perry-ramp-up-rivalry.ece">With national ambitions, Ted Cruz and Rick Perry r</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a 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href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/02/09/michelle-rhee-susan-combs-wise-school-spending/5259291/">Rhee/Combs: Are education funds being wasted?</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/02/09/michelle-rhee-susan-combs-wise-school-spending/5259291/">USA Today</a> </li> <li> <time datetime="Mon, 10 Feb 2014 13:20:25 -0600" title="2014-02-10 13:20"> Feb. 10, 2014 </time> </li> </ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/herman-hasan-trial-a-test-for-all/nZMhb/">Herman: Hasan trial a test for all</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta separator relative-time"> <li class="byline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150409174730/http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/herman-hasan-trial-a-test-for-all/nZMhb/">Austin American-Statesman</a> 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