Lawrence Mower
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Texas education reporter for @houstonchron
Past: @TB_Times, @pbpost, @reviewjournal, @UNLV alum
Boo: @aglorios
Signal: lmower.02
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Articles by Lawrence Mower
Texas won't say which private schools and vendors are profiting from state vouchers
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines has repeatedly touted himself as an open-government advocate championing taxpayers who want to know how the state is spending their money. Yet when it comes to the state's new $1 billion school voucher program - arguably the most high-profile pot of money under his supervision - he's repeatedly kept the spending secret.
Texas won't say which private schools and vendors are profiting from state vouchers
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Texas won’t say which private schools and vendors are profiting from state vouchers
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines gives remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Dallas. (Elias Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News) Elias Valverde II/Dallas Morning News Texas Comptroller Don Huffines has repeatedly touted himself as an open-government advocate championing taxpayers who want to know how the state is spending their money.
Gina Hinojosa wants to undo Greg Abbott's education agenda. It won't be easy
Gina Hinojosa - District 49. Representative Hinojosa is running for Governor of Texas Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman State Rep. Gina Hinojosa is trying to rally Democrats and some Republicans around a campaign to wipe away the last decade of public education reforms under Gov. Greg Abbott. How she would carry out that plan, or whether it’s even possible, is less clear.
Who are the biggest donors backing Don Huffines and Sarah Eckhardt?
Don Huffines TOP 5 DONORS Phillip Huffines: $3,000,000 Huffines and his identical twin brother Phillip began to break away from their grandfather’s line of Dallas-area car dealerships when they founded Huffines Communities in 1985. The company has built and managed more than a dozen master-planned communities in the area, according to its website.
Here are the four school districts being targeted by Greg Abbott's audit order
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Here are the four school districts being targeted by Greg Abbott's audit order Original
Akins High School students board a bus at a bus hub at Casey Elementary School on the first day of school Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Texas Comptroller Don Huffines has named four school districts, including Austin and El Paso, for financial reviews that were requested by Gov. Greg Abbott. The reviews are intended “to ensure taxpayer funds are being spent responsibly,” Huffines’ office wrote on Monday.
Harris County Judge
The Houston Chronicle sent questions on key policy topics to candidates for the three Commissioners Court contests on the ballot this year: Harris County judge, Precinct 2 commissioner, and Precinct 4 commissioner. We limited each candidate’s response to 200 words per question, but did not edit their answers in any way. Read below to see how the candidates approached these issues. Compare responses to each question Check and uncheck the boxes next to each candidate to show/hide their responses.
Texas Voter Guide 2026
Texans will head to the polls this fall for a highly competitive midterm contest that could determine control of Congress heading into President Donald Trump's final two years in office. At the statewide level, Gov.
Exclusive: Texas public schools could lose $227M from voucher exodus, estimate shows
Rural Texas school districts are poised to lose millions of dollars in funding this year after thousands of students reported using vouchers to leave for private or home schools, according to a new analysis of state data. Across the state, at least 28,200 public school students took a voucher, an estimated loss of at least $227 million in state funding for their public districts. Large urban-area school districts have seen the most students leave.
Exclusive: Texas public schools could lose $227M from voucher exodus, estimate shows
Texas Rep. Brad Buckley speaks after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2, which created private school vouchers, at the Governor's Mansion on Saturday, May 3, 2025 in Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman Rural Texas school districts are poised to lose millions of dollars in funding this year after thousands of students reported using vouchers to leave for private or home schools, according to a new analysis of state data.
Exclusive: Spending on state-led Bluebonnet curriculum could top $1B
Elaine Maldonado, a first grade teacher, watches while students complete an activity in their Bluebonnet Learning workbook at Miguel Carrillo Jr. Elementary School in San Antonio on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. South San Antonio Independent School District uses the state-developed Bluebonnet Reading Language Arts and Math in kindergarten through eighth grade.
This Houston-area school district is still missing thousands of Bluebonnet materials Original
First grade students complete an activity in a Bluebonnet Learning workbook at Miguel Carrillo Jr. Elementary School in San Antonio on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. South San Antonio Independent School District uses the state-developed Bluebonnet Reading Language Arts and Math in kindergarten through eighth grade. Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News Officials at Conroe ISD knew there might be hiccups getting their state-created Bluebonnet textbooks and lesson plans this school year.
Voucher program could swell to $4.4B next biennium, Texas comptroller says Original
Gov. Greg Abbott makes his way to center stage to speak on the north steps of the State Capitol to supporters at a Texas Public Policy Foundation Parent Empowerment rally on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 in Austin. Abbott and his supporters are pushing to have a voucher system, also known as school choice. (Ricardo B. Brazziell /Austin American-Statesman via AP) Ricardo B.
Texas education board OKs new high school curriculum over objections from Muslim advocates
Texas' Board of Education approved a rewrite of the state's social studies curriculum on Friday, requiring high schoolers to learn about the Prophet Mohammed's "harem slaves," the Aztecs' use of human sacrifice and the positive influence Christianity has had on America. Overcoming pleas from dozens of Texas Muslims who said the changes were offensive and inaccurate, the Republican-controlled board voted 8-4 to approve the conservative rewrite. The new standards take effect in 2030.
Texas education board OKs new high school curriculum over objections from Muslim advocates
Donna Phillips of Austin, an educator and member of the advocacy group For Liberty & Justice, prays outside the State Board of Education meeting at the Barbara Jordan Building in Austin as the Council on American-Islamic Relations holds a news conference denouncing the new social studies standards on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. Phillips was scheduled to speak in favor of the new standards.
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles' charter network faces layoffs, $14M deficit after tripling footprint
One of Texas' most high-profile charter school networks could soon begin laying off staff amid a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, throwing its future into question just as more and more districts have turned to it to avoid a state takeover. The Texas branch of Third Future Schools, founded by Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles, is facing a $14 million deficit, forcing it to cut many of the 700 new employees it hired this year.
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles' charter network faces layoffs, $14M deficit after tripling footprint
Brentwood Middle School on San Antonio's West Side, pictured Mar. 24, 2026. Edgewood ISD trustees voted to give day-to-day operations over to Colorado based charter operator Third Future Schools. Noah Alcala Bach One of Texas’ most high-profile charter school networks could soon begin laying off staff amid a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, throwing its future into question just as more and more districts have turned to it to avoid a state takeover.
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles' charter network faces layoffs, $14M deficit after tripling footprint
Brentwood Middle School on San Antonio's West Side, pictured Mar. 24, 2026. Edgewood ISD trustees voted to give day-to-day operations over to Colorado based charter operator Third Future Schools. Noah Alcala Bach One of Texas’ most high-profile charter school networks could soon begin laying off staff amid a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, throwing its future into question just as more and more districts have turned to it to avoid a state takeover.
Fight over Islam is key focus ahead of pivotal high school curriculum vote Original
Donna Phillips of Austin, an educator and member of the advocacy group For Liberty & Justice, prays outside the State Board of Education meeting at the Barbara Jordan Building in Austin as the Council on American-Islamic Relations holds a news conference denouncing the new social studies standards on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. Phillips was scheduled to speak in favor of the new standards.
Acclaimed Holocaust book part of list Dan Patrick flagged for removal from Texas schools
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said last week there were more than 2,000 "filthy, dirty, vulgar books" that don't belong in school classrooms or libraries. Yet one of them is going to be taught in classrooms across Texas. "Night," the seminal Holocaust autobiography by Auschwitz survivor Elie Wiesel, was approved by the Republican-controlled State Board of Education this summer as required reading for eighth graders starting in 2030.
Acclaimed Holocaust book part of list Dan Patrick flagged for removal from Texas schools
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Acclaimed Holocaust book part of list Dan Patrick flagged for removal from Texas schools
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick holds a copy of ‘Let’s Talk About It,’ just one of several books he called “dirty, filthy and vulgar” during a press conference at the Texas State Capitol, Aug. 19, 2026, during which he said many schools have failed to remove books from shelves and proposed that schools not complying will be knocked down a letter grade in the accountability system. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Lt. Gov.
TEA printing delays leave Texas schools scrambling for Bluebonnet materials
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'Couldn't find a school': Why only 76% of Texas' school voucher recipients have used them Original
Parents walk with their children to their first day of school at Conroe ISD’s Eissler Elementary School in Conroe, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. Conroe ISD's use of the state-created Bluebonnet curriculum was part of the reason parent Marissa Gonzalez applied for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts, although she was ultimately unable to use them, joining the 24% of families who received funding and either denied it or haven't used the award yet.
TEA printing delays leave Texas schools scrambling for Bluebonnet materials Original
Amaya Muñoz, a first grader, completes an activity in their Bluebonnet Learning workbook at Miguel Carrillo Jr. Elementary School in San Antonio on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. South San Antonio Independent School District uses the state-developed Bluebonnet Reading Language Arts and Math in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Greg Abbott singles out Austin, El Paso ISDs in call for audits into 'administrative bloat'
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday asked Texas' new comptroller to examine the spending of up to four school districts to root out "administrative bloat" and said he would introduce a bill requiring districts spend at least 70% of their funds in the classroom.
Greg Abbott singles out Austin, El Paso ISDs in call for audits into 'administrative bloat' Original
Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference addressing foreign influence in public education at the Texas Public Policy Foundation in Austin, Aug. 18, 2026. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday asked Texas’ new comptroller to examine the spending of up to four school districts to root out “administrative bloat” and said he would introduce a bill requiring districts spend at least 70% of their funds in the classroom.
Greg Abbott pushes to ban public schools from using H-1B visas Original
Texas Governot Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference at a home in Round Rock, Texas on Friday, July 31, 2026. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday he plans to call for a ban on school districts employing anyone with an H-1B visa, a move that could cost hundreds of Texas teachers their jobs.
9 Texas school districts avoid state takeover in latest TEA accountability ratings
After a record number of school districts became eligible for a state takeover last year, new state scores released Friday showed significant gains for several districts that were facing a similar fate. Just one - Austin ISD - failed to improve its scores at perennially troubled schools, the new scores show. Nine other districts are set to avoid a takeover by improving school scores, closing campuses or working with outside organizations approved by the state.
Nine school districts avoid state takeover in latest Texas Education Agency rankings Original
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath is cheered on while arriving to a news conference about A-F accountability ratings for the 2025-26 school year at Woodland Acres Middle School in Galena Park ISD in Houston, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle A cheerleader performs during a visit by Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath at Woodland Acres Middle School in Galena Park ISD in Houston on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.
What the numbers tell us about Texas' school voucher participation so far
The rollout of Texas' new school voucher program is entering a new phase. After months of applications and debate, the state has published its first snapshot of the students selected to receive education savings accounts. The numbers offer an early look at who's participating in the billion-dollar program, but they also leave some questions unanswered. For a closer look at what we know so far, the Standard was joined by Lawrence Mower, who covers education for the Houston Chronicle's Austin Bureau.
Here's what we know about the 85k Texas students who received private school vouchers
Nearly 86,000 students applied for and were selected to receive private school vouchers, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts. Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle The state has released the first in-depth look at the more than 85,000 students participating in Texas’ voucher program, shedding light on who will benefit from the state’s new $1 billion initiative. The report, which was required by the Legislature, provides high-level demographic data on recipients and where they live.
Here's what we know about the 85K Texas students who received private school vouchers
Nearly 86,000 students applied for and were selected to receive private school vouchers, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts. Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle The state has released the first in-depth look at the more than 85,000 students participating in Texas’ voucher program, shedding light on who will benefit from the state’s new $1 billion initiative. The report, which was required by the Legislature, provides high-level demographic data on recipients and where they live.
A Midland lawsuit could upend Texas school funding. Why aren't other districts joining in?
A lawsuit by Midland's school board to overhaul the way Texas funds education could have been a rallying cry for districts that have long bristled at having to turn over billions of local tax dollars to the state each year. But two weeks later, it appears Midland will have few allies. After years of crackdowns from the state's Republican leaders, superintendents aren't jumping on board to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott or his education commissioner, Mike Morath. Advocacy groups are silent or oppose it.
A Midland lawsuit could upend Texas school funding. Why aren't other districts joining in?
Fifth grade students work on their assignments in their Art of Thinking class at HISD’s A.A. Milne Elementary School in Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. HISD's Milne Elementary School is second most improved elementary schools in the Houston area according to Children At Risk's annual rankings.
A Midland lawsuit could upend Texas school funding. Why aren't other districts joining in?
Fifth grade students work on their assignments in their Art of Thinking class at HISD’s A.A. Milne Elementary School in Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. HISD's Milne Elementary School is second most improved elementary schools in the Houston area according to Children At Risk's annual rankings.
Texas district challenges state school finance system: 'They're using us as tax collectors'
Texas' byzantine school finance system will face legal scrutiny for the first time in a decade after a rural school board voted to sue the state. The Midland Independent School District board unanimously greenlit the lawsuit Tuesday night, arguing that the state's restrictive funding rules unfairly strip the local board of its power to levy property taxes.
Texas district challenges state school finance system: ‘They're using us as tax collectors'
Texas' byzantine school finance system will face legal scrutiny for the first time in a decade after a rural school board voted to sue the state. The Midland Independent School District board unanimously greenlit the lawsuit Tuesday night, arguing that the state's restrictive funding rules unfairly strip the local board of its power to levy property taxes.
Texas district challenges state school finance system: ‘They’re using us as tax collectors’
Students work on their lessons in a classroom at Northbrook High School in the Spring Branch ISD on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Houston. While Texas students are struggling to recover from pandemic learning losses, Spring Branch ISD has bucked that trend through targeted federal funding use. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Texas’ byzantine school finance system will face legal scrutiny for the first time in a decade after a rural school board voted to sue the state.
Texas district challenges state school finance system: ‘They’re using us as tax collectors’
Students work on their lessons in a classroom at Northbrook High School in the Spring Branch ISD on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Houston. While Texas students are struggling to recover from pandemic learning losses, Spring Branch ISD has bucked that trend through targeted federal funding use. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Texas’ byzantine school finance system will face legal scrutiny for the first time in a decade after a rural school board voted to sue the state.
Houston-area lawmaker's anesthesia firm blamed for $11M increase in Texas teachers' insurance costs
State Rep. Tom Oliverson speaks during a rally about school vouchers Tuesday March 21, 2023, at Cypress Christian School in Houston. (Jon Shapley/Staff photographer) State Rep. Tom Oliverson has made lowering health care costs a top goal in the Legislature, even as the anesthesia conglomerate where he's a partner and investor has been accused of driving them up.
Houston-area lawmaker’s anesthesia firm blamed for $11M increase in Texas teachers’ insurance costs Original
State Rep. Tom Oliverson speaks during a rally about school vouchers Tuesday March 21, 2023, at Cypress Christian School in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer State Rep. Tom Oliverson has made lowering health care costs a top goal in the Legislature, even as the anesthesia conglomerate where he's a partner and investor has been accused of driving them up.
They gave James Uthmeier's campaign $25,000. Then his office stepped in to help
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They gave James Uthmeier’s campaign $25,000. Then his office stepped in to help
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has used his office to intervene on behalf of donors since taking office last year, inserting the state's lawyers in civil disputes to help developers and car dealers. In at least three separate instances, the attorney general's office got involved in a legal battle days or weeks after a donor gave $25,000 to Uthmeier's campaign. He also helped expunge the criminal history of a wealthy businessman's daughter this year.
DeSantis touts wins, vetoes in final budget as governor
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis slashed about $800 million in spending from the state budget on Monday, completing one of his final tasks as governor while leaving plenty for his successor to clean up. At a Tampa news conference on Monday, he touted what he considered his fiscal legacy for the state: a smaller budget for multiple years in a row, fewer state workers, paying off half the state’s debt and padding the rainy day funds.
DeSantis now says he won’t campaign for property tax plan
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... After spending the last year talking about eliminating or cutting Floridians’ property taxes, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that he won’t campaign to help pass an amendment on the ballot that he first proposed. That’s because the Legislature didn’t pass his amendment exactly as he wanted it, he said at a Tampa news conference. “What the Legislature did wasn’t my proposal,” he said.
DeSantis signs Florida budget and cuts $800M while promoting wins
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DeSantis touts wins, vetoes in final budget as governor
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis slashed about $800 million in spending from the state budget on Monday, completing one of his final tasks as governor while leaving plenty for his successor to clean up. At a Tampa news conference on Monday, he touted what he considered his fiscal legacy for the state: a smaller budget for multiple years in a row, fewer state workers, paying off half the state’s debt and padding the rainy day funds. kAm“(6 D9@F=5 36 E92?<7F= E92E H6’C6 CF? :?
DeSantis signs Florida budget and cuts $800M while promoting wins
Gov. Ron DeSantis slashed about $800 million in spending from the state budget on Monday, completing one of his final tasks as governor while leaving plenty for his successor to clean up. At a Tampa news conference on Monday, he touted what he considered his fiscal legacy for the state: a smaller budget for multiple years in a row, fewer state workers, paying off half the state's debt and padding the rainy day funds.
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