Several amendments filed by Democrats failed, including one that aimed to make sure that the “uncomfortable truth” including slavery is still being taught.

It comes as Texas public schools have been struggling with budget deficits. Gov. Greg Abbott made teacher pay raises an emergency item this session.

The legislation includes new pots of money for teacher raises and other school costs like insurance and transportation. It now heads to the House, where leaders say it will pass.

The Texas Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill late Thursday night that will inject $8.5 billion in new money for public schools. The vote took place after 11 p.m., hours after Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows formally announced a deal on House Bill 2.

Rep. Ramon Romero of Fort Worth killed a legislative priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick that would have made it easier to construct homes on smaller lots, which supporters say could have reduced the cost of those residences.

SB 10 mandates that the Ten Commandments be clear enough in a classroom to be read by a person with "average vision."

The Texas Senate advanced a bill Thursday that would set Texas clocks to daylight saving time (DST) year-round.  House Bill 1393 would do away with Texas' switch twice a year between standard time and daylight saving time.

Texas is on the verge of banning the use of nondisclosure agreements to silence sexual abuse survivors after a key House vote Sunday.