The Latest Breaking News from Mayes Middleton

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Senate on Tuesday gave its initial approval to a bill that would restrict competition in collegiate sports by transgender athletes.

DALLAS — Not long ago, the NCAA was seen as a leader in social activism.

Texas is the latest state to pitch a version of the program, which lets parents who opt out of their local school districts use tax dollars to pay for private schooling.

Lawmakers are looking at ways to keep teachers in the profession, make schools safer, give parents money for private schooling and censor conversations about sex and gender.

Rural school leaders in Texas have been able to stave off the legislative priority of some of the state’s most prominent Republicans. But private school officials hope this year will be different.

Advocates say discontent with public schools’ pandemic rules and teachings on race and gender identity have helped raise support for school choice to an all-time high.

Republican primary elections for 29 of 31 seats in the Texas State Senate took place on March 1, 2022. Of the 29 seats up for election in 2022, nine had a primary election with more than one candidates.

On Jan. 24, three Republican state Senate candidates in Texas rejected a joint endorsement from LIBRE Action—the political action committee affiliated with the LIBRE Initiative—and Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Action. Pete Flores (SD-24), Mayes Middleton (SD-11), and state Rep. Tan Parker (SD-12) cited disagreement with the LIBRE Initiative’s positions on…