House Bill 3 made sweeping changes to Texas education earlier this year, lowering property tax rates for Texas taxpayers and sending billions more in state dollars to school districts. Now, before districts can ask local taxpayers for higher M&O property tax rates through a tax ratification election (TRE), they must first conduct an efficiency audit. This is designed to ensure that a district is thoroughly evaluating its spending practices before asking to permanently increase tax rates and that taxpayers get a chance to review a district’s efficiency for themselves and make an informed decision.
Higher Education
Federal Findings Raise Alarming Questions About Texas A&M’s Research Security
A new report from the House Select Committee on China, released Oct. 13, documents why stronger research security safeguards are necessary. The case of Dr. Enrique Lavernia, now a professor at Texas A&M University, raises serious questions about whether the university’s screening procedures are sufficient. The committee’s report, “How to Stop China’s Theft of America’s...
October 20, 2026