Balancing the Books After Years of Neglecting Schools

The Texas Legislature wants to fix school finance, but how?

"...Ever put off until tomorrow what you could have done today? Of course you have. You've put the milk..."

April 7, 2017 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

If It's Broke, Don't Fix It

Texas school finance system ruled constitutional

"...The court's opinion, authored by Justice Don Willett and handed down (with seemingly no irony) on..."

May 20, 2016 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Meet the Candidate: Gina Hinojosa

Hinojosa stands as the most high-profile establishment candidate among the HD 49 contenders

"...finance, and that fight is at the state. We've done what we can locally in finding more dollars, in..."

Feb. 5, 2016 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Top 10 Lege Stories

"...than in the 2013 session. Arguably, because they'd already done so much damage, there was little left to break...."

Jan. 1, 2016 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

News Roundup: Congress, Council, & Concealed Weapons

Guns in; refugees out

"...a City Council ally in District 6 Council Member Don Zimmerman, who (according to a Sept. 1 Fox 7..."

Sept. 8, 2015 News Post by the News Staff

Shortchanged

A lot of belt tightening and creative thinking make getting by with low dollars possible for AISD

"...was some hope of reform. House Public Education Chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, proposed a $3 billion investment in..."

Sept. 4, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

School Finance on Trial

Hearing only expected to last a short two and a half hours

"...director of public affairs Tedrah Rober­tson said, "They'll be done before lunch."..."

Aug. 28, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Lege Session Dealt Blow to AISD Budget

AISD grapples with impact of this session's bills on its financial future

"...omnibus reform, HB 1759, by House Public Education Chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, sputtered out: a particularly savage blow..."

July 10, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Lege Races Take Shape

Empty seats up at the Capitol

"...most senior and experienced members. Public Education Committee Chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, had led the fight for school..."

June 19, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

What's the Damage?

The news staff takes a look at the fallout from the 84th legislative session

"...Stick a fork in them, they're done...."

June 5, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Education: Failure to Invest

Fallout from the 84th Texas legislative session

"...school districts. Under HB 2804 by House Committee Chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, all ISDs and CISDS will be..."

June 5, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

How Much Will Texas Spend?

The Legislature's conference committee spending proposals

"...can all go home" level of agreement. "We're not done yet," the pair chorused so close that, if one..."

May 21, 2015 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Lege Lines: Billpocalypse!

Bills start dying as sine die draws near; schools get new A-F grading system; and more

"...victim was House Bill 1759 by House Public Education chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen. The only significant attempt at school..."

May 22, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

School Finance Reform Dead

House Bill 1759 disappears, taking $800 million with it

"...murmur of a debate. House Public Education Committee Chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, brought up his bill with a..."

May 14, 2015 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Lege Lines: School Finance Math; Tax Plans Diverge; Veteran Benefits Restricted; and More

Is school finance dead this session?; House and Senate tax plans split; Lege restricts veterans' benefits; and more

"...House Bill 1759 by House Pub­lic Education Committee Chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, was the big hope for relief..."

May 15, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

The Education Session

The Lege takes another run at patching school finance

"...just like her – need. "That's got to get done," he said, "so we can help these kids graduate."..."

May 1, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Lege Goes to School: Education Bills

"...grants" (aka vouchers) and tax credits for businesses that donate to scholarship funds for private schools. When it emerged..."

May 1, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Lege Lines

Lege makes an anti-city push, nixes a bill limiting police filming, the Senate passes its budget, and more...

"...is one sign of détente, with the Lege seemingly abandoning its inexplicable assault on the Austin bag ban. This..."

April 17, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Headlines

"...finance legislation laid out by Public Educa­tion Committee Chair Jimmie Don Aycock. Aycock warns his bill is a short-term..."

April 10, 2015 News Feature

School Finance Plan Headed for Hearing

Aycock promises no losers as Senate obsesses on vouchers

"...finance lawsuits? That's what House Public Education Committee Chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, is hoping with his proposal to..."

April 8, 2015 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Lege Lines

School finance debate heats up, HHSC consolidation on hold?, and more

"...and more public money into private schools. Enter Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, who never met a voucher bill..."

April 3, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

No Chairs for Travis County in House Committees

Local delegation still scores six vice-chairs

"...reforms in House Bill 5 both burning issues, Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, stays in charge of Public Education...."

Feb. 4, 2015 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Unsettled Business

Lege opens with many unanswered questions

"...special session. She pointed to House Education Committee Chair Jimmie Don Aycock's omnibus HB 654, filled with radical solutions..."

Jan. 16, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Lege Lines: The Score

How the 83rd did on water infrastructure, the budget, education, the environment, and transportation

"...Don't let the clouds fool you. The recent, unexpected downpours..."

June 14, 2013 News Feature by Brandon Watson

Lege Lines

School financing, school accountability, beer, redistricting, and more

"...Business, bill author and House Public Education Committee Chair Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, won the big argument over whether..."

March 29, 2013 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

The Big May Takeaway

Highlights of last night's GOP and Democratic primaries

"...be conservative enough? The incumbent only polled 36% to Donna Campbell's 34%, so the pair go into a run-off...."

May 30, 2012 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Back to Education Finance Reform

Updated: No education special, but interim committee called

"...The one potential bright spot is Rep. Jimmy Don Aycock, R-Killeen, as chair. With finance expert Scott Hochberg,..."

March 1, 2012 News Post by Richard Whittaker

And Taylor Makes 106

Speaker Straus makes tactical gains in race to be speaker again

"...But before anyone counts this as a done deal, here are a handful of important considerations to..."

June 6, 2009 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Run-off Roundup

2006 Primary Run-off Results

"...Don Zimmerman -- -- 1,176 46.85%..."

April 14, 2006 News Feature