(Talk1370.com) -- The Texas House is set to pick up their version of a school voucher program and other school funding topics - that and more in your Morning Headlines.
School Choice In The House: We’re getting a better look at how the Texas House might move forward on passing a school voucher program. The lower chamber’s Public Education Committee is set to take up the priority school funding and voucher proposals in a meeting originally scheduled for later today, now postponed to later this week; representatives are considering adding a $1 billion dollar cap to the voucher program, along with a $395 dollar increase in the basic allotment districts receive to educate each student. Lawmakers have just over two months to reach an agreement on the proposals and send them to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature.
Juvenile Murder Suspect Arrested: Austin Police say they’ve arrested a juvenile suspect in connection with a South Austin homicide Sunday night. APD said officers found a male victim with obvious trauma when they arrived on that scene in the 6400 block of Bradsher Drive; he’s since been identified as 16-year old Matthew Pichardo. Investigators say another juvenile shot Pichardo; he fled the scene, but turned himself in a few hours later. He’s now facing a first-degree murder charge. Police are asking anyone with information to call APD’s Homicide tip line at 512-974-TIPS, or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.
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Texas Economic Growth Outpaces Nation: New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis says the Texas economy is growing at a faster rate than the nation as a whole. Preliminary data shows the Texas economy grew to about $2.7 trillion in size in 2024; that’s about a $100 billion increase over 2023. The state’s GDP - or value of all goods and services produced - grew in the fourth quarter at an annual rate of about 3.5% - more than a percentage point higher than the US average of 2.4 percent. Despite GDP growth outpacing the nation, personal income growth lagged behind the national average - with Texas increasing 3.9 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the U.S. average of 4.6 percent.