3 things to know about Texas’ budget: Big. Could’ve been bigger. No teacher pay hike. Yet.

Also, can you craft a $100K cupcake? Joanna Gaines’ ‘Silos Baking Challenge’ invites you to try. [WEEKEND ROUNDUP]( [ Lawmakers have wrapped up work on a new state budget. It's big, though it could've been bigger. ]( Lawmakers have wrapped up work on a new state budget. It's big, though it could've been bigger. A lot of the "historic investments" leaders touted got eclipsed in final debates by squabbling over teacher pay and education savings accounts.(Tom Fox) POLITICS [3 things to know about Texas’ budget: Big. Could’ve been bigger. No teacher pay hike. Yet.]( The Legislature sent Gov. Greg Abbott a new state budget late Saturday. Mostly, it redeems the governor’s promise to cut taxes. However, the budget merely preserves funds for another Abbott pledge — school choice — though it doesn’t actually deliver it. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s high-profile quest this session to secure taxpayer funds that families can use for private schooling ran up against a wall of opposition in the House. But if Texas’ top two Republican state leaders couldn’t pass education savings accounts, they used the budget to take some hostages — higher teacher pay and increased funding of public schools. [READ MORE](   And: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s [deputy steps up after impeachment vote](, memo shows   Also: A [Texas school choice plan dies]( -- taking teacher pay increases with it   ADVERTISEMENT     Looking for more of the latest insights and top stories? We've got you covered. Become a member of The Dallas Morning News. [Join today](.   [DYK? NEWS QUIZ]( A 1,200-pound alligator with only three legs was spotted strolling through a Texas neighborhood over the weekend. It took a wrangler three hours to capture the reptile.(Getty Images) [Question 5 of 5]( [What’s the estimated age of the 3-legged alligator captured in Missouri City, TX?]( - [65 yrs.]( - [75 yrs.]( - [85 yrs.]( - [95 yrs.]( [Start the quiz by choosing your answer.](   AROUND THE SITE - Arts: [Can you craft a $100K cupcake?]( Joanna Gaines’ ‘Silos Baking Challenge’ invites you to try - Opinion: Texas juvenile justice [needs reform]( - Business: Southwest Texas ranch on the market features [3,000 acres of plains and peaks](   ADVERTISEMENT   FINALLY... [Frisco’s new hike, bike trail a star in the making]( Frisco’s latest hike and bike trail is in the works, an [extension connecting two trails in southern Frisco, ultimately bringing users to The Star.]( “This trail just bridges that gap,” said Ricardo Sanchez, parks planning superintendent, via the city’s latest Progress in Motion video. The extension connects to one of the city’s main greenbelt trails—the Starwood Trail, a 1.3 mile trail that ends on Lebanon Road. [READ MORE NEWS](   ADVERTISEMENT   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [Privacy Policy]( | [Account Login]( | [Help Center]( [Terms of Service]( | [Manage Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( The Dallas Morning News 1954 Commerce Street Dallas, TX 75201 © Copyright 2023