The Texas Senate could vote on a new public school funding bill as early as Thursday that would inject a record $8.5 billion in new money for the state's school districts. That is a $500 million increase from the most recent version of the legislation and comes after lawmakers in the House and Senate struck a new deal Wednesday afternoon.

Texas House gives preliminary approval to bill requiring Ten Commandments display in all public school classrooms across the state.

With more than 5 million students, Texas would be the largest state to require such displays. Opponents call mandatory postings unconstitutional.