Latest news with #SenateBill2
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas Set To Roll Out Country's Biggest School Choice Initiative
(Texas Scorecard) – After decades of campaigning by education reform advocates, Texas is set to enact the nation's largest education savings account program, opening new options for up to 100,000 students. The state will spend the next year preparing for the program's 2026-2027 launch. Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2, which creates the ESA program, into law on May 3. An ESA allots funds to parents for use toward a range of educational expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring, and online learning. The program, which has been allocated $1 billion by the Legislature, will support up to 100,000 students, making it the largest launch of a universal school choice program in the nation, according to the governor. Most students will receive $10,000. However, special needs students will receive $11,500, and homeschool students are eligible for $2,000. The ESA program will be managed by the Texas comptroller. The comptroller will maintain a list of pre-approved vendors and educational providers, but participating families will also be able to request approval for other vendors and educational providers to suit their needs. A specific provision in the legislation dictates that no rule or action may prohibit or restrict religious or institutional values when distributing funds. In addition, it prevents limitations on participating parents when 'determining the methods or curriculum to educate students.' If the program is not maxed out the first year, a weighted lottery will determine who is next in line to receive funding. Once the program is rolled out, students will be considered in the following order: Siblings of currently participating students All other students Former students who have previously been enrolled in the program but have since stopped for a period of time The program further prioritizes students based on household income and disability status: Households 500 percent below the federal poverty line whose participating child has a disability Households 200 percent below the poverty line, which are expected to be the largest qualifying group Households 200 percent above the poverty line Households 500 percent above the poverty line No more than 20 percent of the funding will go towards the latter priority group, though it's unlikely to reach that amount. The comptroller's office will provide further details on the application process in 2026. In addition to school choice, lawmakers also passed House Bill 2, which covers public school finance. The total K-12 education funding for the 2026–2027 biennium is about $80 billion out of a $338 billion state budget. HB 2 increases the basic allotment per student from $6,160 to $6,215, which districts can use to meet a variety of needs, while the rest of the funding is earmarked to expand teacher incentives and create more grant funding. However, additional oversight of public education was also a priority of lawmakers. Senate Bill 12 increases parental control and oversight in K-12 education, limits DEI-related activities, and enhances transparency and accountability in Texas schools. It also bans instruction or programming regarding gender identity and sexual orientation.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Powering up Delaware: Nautilus Solar Energy and TurningPoint Energy Launch One of the First Solar Farms in Major Renewable Energy Portfolio
DOVER, Del., June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC ("Nautilus") and TurningPoint Energy ("TPE") celebrated their collaboration on a new 4.7-megawatt direct current (MWdc) solar farm in Georgetown, Delaware on June 10, 2025, with a ribbon cutting event at the project site. The array is made up of nearly 9,000 solar modules and is part of a six-project, 30MWdc portfolio that has been developed by TPE and being built and operated by Nautilus. Distinguished guests, as well as executives from Nautilus and TPE, joined community members to mark the completion of the project. Construction was completed in early 2025 and is expected to begin delivering clean, renewable energy to customers within the Delmarva Power service territory in the next few months. This project is part of Delaware's Community Energy Facility Program that officially launched in April 2022 and signed into law via Senate Bill 2 (SB 2). This bill increased project size limits to 4 MWac and requires at least 15% of each project's capacity to serve low-income customers. "The opening of this community solar farm represents Nautilus's entrance in Delaware and our continued expansion of community solar across the United States," said Eric LaMora, Vice President of Community Solar at Nautilus. "TPE is a valued partner with Nautilus in our mission to make clean, affordable energy available to everyone, including low-income households and small businesses." "Today, we celebrate a milestone in our clean energy journey in Delaware — with the inaugural project that is part of Delaware's Community Energy Facility Program. This will be the first project to reach commercial operation as part of our $100M commitment to invest in the First State," said Salar Naini, President of TPE. This solar project will provide electric bill savings to residents, and other organizations that subscribe as part of the Community Energy Facility Program. Over its lifetime, this project is expected to generate approximately eight million kilowatt-hours annually, contributing to Delaware's goal of sourcing 40% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2035. "The use of solar and other renewable forms of energy is essential to protecting our life-sustaining natural world and its resources," said Sen. Stephanie Hansen. "We know that rising energy costs have been a major financial burden for countless Delaware families. Investing in additional, diverse, clean energy sources are not only a win for the environment, but a win in our ongoing effort to lower costs for our constituents and provide energy reliability." One of the local groups benefiting from the solar project is Springboard Delaware, a non-profit founded in 2020 to create innovative, affordable housing solutions that address the root causes of homelessness and promote long-term stability, health equity and upward mobility. Judson Malone, Co-Founder and Executive Director, said, "At Springboard Delaware, we believe housing stability and environmental sustainability go hand-in-hand. Being a beneficiary of this community solar project means we can lower our energy costs while advancing our mission to create safe, dignified housing for our most vulnerable neighbors. We're proud to be part of a project that reflects both economic and environmental justice." TPE and its partners are committed to making meaningful charitable community investments in every community where their solar projects are developed, including contributions to organizations like Springboard Delaware. These investments are designed to create lasting social value by supporting local nonprofits, educational initiatives and essential services. As part of this commitment, TPE has already contributed $100,000 toward its pledged $120,000 in community donations for this portfolio. With Nautilus matching the pledge, the total planned community investment will reach $240,000 upon completion of the portfolio's construction. About Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC Nautilus Solar Energy®, LLC is a leading community solar company, providing clean energy to residential and commercial customers in local communities. Nautilus operates and manages solar farms in 12 states and is responsible for financing, development, maintenance, and customer service for the lifetime of the project. Founded in 2006, Nautilus has helped shape the future of solar to provide an equitable and affordable renewable energy choice for all. Nautilus is owned by Power Sustainable, a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Corporation of Canada. Power Sustainable is a multi-platform alternative asset manager with a long-term investment approach focused on sustainable strategies. For more information on Nautilus Solar Energy, visit About TurningPoint Energy TurningPoint Energy is a clean energy development, advisory and investment company with solar development projects underway throughout the United States. Its principals have experience developing solar projects for utility and community solar clients totaling more than $3 billion in value over 2 GW of operating solar power plants throughout the United States within the last decade. TurningPoint Energy is a lean, privately held firm that adapts to its clients' needs and finds ways to invest in its clients and their communities… at every turning point. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts Media Inquiries:For Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC:Eric LaMoraVice President, Community SolarELaMora@ For TurningPoint Energy:Ildi SynhorstDirector of Marketing & Communicationsisynhorst@
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Powering up Delaware: Nautilus Solar Energy and TurningPoint Energy Launch One of the First Solar Farms in Major Renewable Energy Portfolio
DOVER, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC ('Nautilus') and TurningPoint Energy ('TPE') celebrated their collaboration on a new 4.7-megawatt direct current (MWdc) solar farm in Georgetown, Delaware on June 10, 2025, with a ribbon cutting event at the project site. The array is made up of nearly 9,000 solar modules and is part of a six-project, 30MWdc portfolio that has been developed by TPE and being built and operated by Nautilus. Distinguished guests, as well as executives from Nautilus and TPE, joined community members to mark the completion of the project. Construction was completed in early 2025 and is expected to begin delivering clean, renewable energy to customers within the Delmarva Power service territory in the next few months. This project is part of Delaware's Community Energy Facility Program that officially launched in April 2022 and signed into law via Senate Bill 2 (SB 2). This bill increased project size limits to 4 MWac and requires at least 15% of each project's capacity to serve low-income customers. 'The opening of this community solar farm represents Nautilus's entrance in Delaware and our continued expansion of community solar across the United States,' said Eric LaMora, Vice President of Community Solar at Nautilus. 'TPE is a valued partner with Nautilus in our mission to make clean, affordable energy available to everyone, including low-income households and small businesses.' 'Today, we celebrate a milestone in our clean energy journey in Delaware — with the inaugural project that is part of Delaware's Community Energy Facility Program. This will be the first project to reach commercial operation as part of our $100M commitment to invest in the First State,' said Salar Naini, President of TPE. This solar project will provide electric bill savings to residents, and other organizations that subscribe as part of the Community Energy Facility Program. Over its lifetime, this project is expected to generate approximately eight million kilowatt-hours annually, contributing to Delaware's goal of sourcing 40% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2035. "The use of solar and other renewable forms of energy is essential to protecting our life-sustaining natural world and its resources," said Sen. Stephanie Hansen. "We know that rising energy costs have been a major financial burden for countless Delaware families. Investing in additional, diverse, clean energy sources are not only a win for the environment, but a win in our ongoing effort to lower costs for our constituents and provide energy reliability." One of the local groups benefiting from the solar project is Springboard Delaware, a non-profit founded in 2020 to create innovative, affordable housing solutions that address the root causes of homelessness and promote long-term stability, health equity and upward mobility. Judson Malone, Co-Founder and Executive Director, said, 'At Springboard Delaware, we believe housing stability and environmental sustainability go hand-in-hand. Being a beneficiary of this community solar project means we can lower our energy costs while advancing our mission to create safe, dignified housing for our most vulnerable neighbors. We're proud to be part of a project that reflects both economic and environmental justice.' TPE and its partners are committed to making meaningful charitable community investments in every community where their solar projects are developed, including contributions to organizations like Springboard Delaware. These investments are designed to create lasting social value by supporting local nonprofits, educational initiatives and essential services. As part of this commitment, TPE has already contributed $100,000 toward its pledged $120,000 in community donations for this portfolio. With Nautilus matching the pledge, the total planned community investment will reach $240,000 upon completion of the portfolio's construction. About Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC Nautilus Solar Energy®, LLC is a leading community solar company, providing clean energy to residential and commercial customers in local communities. Nautilus operates and manages solar farms in 12 states and is responsible for financing, development, maintenance, and customer service for the lifetime of the project. Founded in 2006, Nautilus has helped shape the future of solar to provide an equitable and affordable renewable energy choice for all. Nautilus is owned by Power Sustainable, a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Corporation of Canada. Power Sustainable is a multi-platform alternative asset manager with a long-term investment approach focused on sustainable strategies. For more information on Nautilus Solar Energy, visit About TurningPoint Energy TurningPoint Energy is a clean energy development, advisory and investment company with solar development projects underway throughout the United States. Its principals have experience developing solar projects for utility and community solar clients totaling more than $3 billion in value over 2 GW of operating solar power plants throughout the United States within the last decade. TurningPoint Energy is a lean, privately held firm that adapts to its clients' needs and finds ways to invest in its clients and their communities… at every turning point. For more information, please visit
Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Public Schools Are Under Attack, and Texas Is Just the Beginning
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed Senate Bill 2 into law, turning Texas into the latest testing ground for a dangerous experiment that has already failed elsewhere and now threatens the future of public education, not just here, but across the nation. Senate Bill (SB) 2 creates a statewide school voucher program in Texas that uses taxpayer dollars to help cover tuition at private and religious schools. Scheduled to launch in the 2026–27 school year, the program allocates varying amounts of money per student in public funds. But these dollars can be used at institutions that are not required to follow the same academic standards, financial transparency, or nondiscrimination protections that public schools are held to. Governor Greg Abbott speaks to reporters outside of the West Wing after meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on February 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Governor Greg Abbott speaks to reporters outside of the West Wing after meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on February 5, 2025, in Washington, 2's voucher scheme is an assault on our public education system. It siphons money away from neighborhood schools and hands it to private institutions that are unaccountable to the public and often unqualified to serve students equitably. In effect, the state is subsidizing schools that can reject students based on religion, disability, gender identity, and more, all while draining critical resources from public classrooms. These schools operate in the shadows, free to discriminate, free from oversight, and free to shape their admissions and curricula around exclusion, not inclusion. For over 30 years, Texans have opposed vouchers. Parents, teachers, students—and even local conservative leaders—have joined in vocal, bipartisan opposition to these schemes. But Texas Governor Abbott ignored them and instead sided with billionaires to replace state leadership that wouldn't vote his way on school vouchers, choosing instead to appease wealthy donors and fringe political ideologues. In their crusade for power and profit, they made Texas kids the collateral damage. We've seen how this ends. In Arizona, the nation's largest voucher expansion has blown past budget projections and left public schools reeling, while families face long waitlists and additional costs in the fine print, leaving them to foot the bill. In Wisconsin, a decades-old voucher system has deepened racial and economic segregation and siphoned hundreds of millions from public education, all while failing to deliver tangible results for kids and families. And in Florida, a chaotic and bloated voucher expansion has led to unregulated private schools, some without certified teachers or accredited curricula, while public schools in areas like Miami-Dade face steep budget shortfalls. Texas lawmakers had every opportunity to learn from these failures. They chose not to. Because SB 2 was never about helping kids. It's about dismantling our public education system and funneling public dollars into private hands—quietly, permanently, and without public consent. During debate, 44 amendments were introduced—many of them aimed at adding transparency, accountability, and protections for students. Not one passed. In a particularly telling moment, State Representative James Talarico proposed an amendment to let voters decide on vouchers directly. The House tabled it without a second thought. This is not just a Texas story. This is a national strategy. Texas has long been the proving ground for extremist policy experiments—from abortion bans to book bans, to now school privatization. The fact that national political figures, including the president, are now weighing in on a state-level education bill should set off alarms for every American. SB 2 is a blueprint for how public goods are quietly defunded and handed over to private interests under the guise of "choice." Texas Freedom Network (TFN) will not back down. Neither should Texas families. Public education is the backbone of our democracy. It's where children learn how to live and thrive in a diverse, dynamic society. Undermining that system undermines our future. It erodes equality. It erases opportunity. And it abandons the constitutional promise Texas has made to every child. TFN and our allies are committed to fighting this for every student, regardless of their race, zip code, income level, faith, or LGBTQ identity. Texans deserve schools that serve all students, not political agendas. We will not forget who turned their backs on our kids. Neither will voters, and if you're in another state, know who you're electing at the ballot box. Ask yourself if they're bringing the next voucher scheme to your doorstep or if they're willing to fight for public education, our country's great equalizer and the foundation of our democracy. Marti Bier is Texas Freedom Network's chief of programs. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
California Democrats Vote to Increase Gas Prices
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The California Senate on Wednesday rejected a measure that sought to stop gas prices rising by a projected 65 cents per gallon. Senate Bill 2 had aimed to halt proposed changes to California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) that were approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in November. Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, a Republican who authored the bill, forced a floor vote on the measure on Wednesday. Lawmakers rejected it in a 10-23 vote, with Democrats unanimous in their opposition. A Chevron sign at a gas station, showing California gas prices, in Walnut Creek, California, April 8, 2025. A Chevron sign at a gas station, showing California gas prices, in Walnut Creek, California, April 8, 2025. Getty Images Why It Matters A report by the University of Pennsylvania's Kleinman Center for Energy Policy predicted that the changes could increase the cost of gas by 65 cents a gallon in the near term and by 85 cents a gallon by 2030. Supporters say the new rules are necessary to keep California on track for its climate goals. But critics have warned that the new standards could raise gas prices even higher in a state where drivers already pay some of the highest fuel costs in the nation. What To Know Senate Bill 2 aimed to "void specified amendments to the Low-Carbon Fuel Standard regulations adopted by the state board on November 8, 2024, or as subsequently adopted, as specified." The proposed changes to the LCSF include updated targets to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels used in California in order to reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Jones, a Republican, accused Democrats of choosing "higher gas prices over hardworking Californians," pointing to the estimates that the updates to the LCSF will raise gas prices by as much as 65 cents per gallon. But David Clergen, a spokesperson for the California Air Resources Board, has called the 65-cent figure "misinformation," saying that independent experts estimate gas prices may rise by just 5 to 8 cents per gallon. He also told the Sacramento Bee that the LCSF does not directly add to gas prices. What People Are Saying California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones said in a statement on Wednesday: "I forced a Senate Floor vote to repeal Governor Newsom's 65-cent gas price hike. Senate Democrats unanimously opposed it. They had a chance to stand with California drivers, but instead, they chose to defend the highest gas prices in the nation." CARB spokesperson David Clergen told the Sacramento Bee: "Independent experts have projected LCFS pass-through costs could range from as low as 5 cents per gallon to as high as 8 cents per gallon, much lower than widely reported projections that are as high as a dollar or more." He added that any additional costs "would be from oil companies passing through the cost of complying with the regulation and they would decide how much, if any of that cost to pass through to consumers." What's Next The proposed updates to the LCFS were resubmitted to the Office of Administrative Law, which reviews the legality of state regulations, on May 16, after the agency rejected the proposed changes in February. The agency has until June 30 to make a final determination and if approved, the changes could go into effect on July 1. That could come on the same day that an increase in California's state gas tax is set to take effect, rising from 59.6 to 61.2 cents per gallon.
