The Texas House voted 86-63 early this morning to give initial approval to a bill creating a $1 billion private school voucher program.

Why it matters: The long-contested legislation passed a major hurdle this session, showing Republican lawmakers are ready to transform the education landscape in Texas and cement Gov. Greg Abbott's legacy.

• The Senate has already passed the bill.

Plus: Lawmakers also voted 144-4 to approve House Bill 2 that would spend nearly $8 billion to increase per-student funding by $395 and raise teacher and staff salaries, among other measures.

• Some Democrats argued the spending wasn't enough to bring funding to 2019 levels.

Zoom in: Senate Bill 2 would allow families to use taxpayer money for private school tuition and school-related expenses.

Catch up quick: Supporters say vouchers provide more options for families, including at religious schools. Opponents say they cut into public school funding and enrollment.

How it works: Priority eligibility in the program the House approved this morning would go to families that have low incomes and children with disabilities.

Flashback: After Abbott's signature legislation did not pass during the regular session and in four special sessions in 2023, the governor helped oust 11 Republican lawmakers who stood against school vouchers.

What they're saying: "This is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated for more choices when it comes to the education of their children," Abbott said in a statement on X.

• Abbott added that he will quickly sign the bill into law when it reaches his desk, "putting Texas on a pathway to becoming the best state in America for educating our kids."

The other side: "Are we really willing to trade an efficient system of public, free schools that serve all children for an inefficient system of private, expensive schools that will only serve a privileged few?" asked Rep. Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie).

What's next: The House must take a final vote, a formality, and then the House and Senate have to hash out differences in the two versions of the bill, including how much money each participating family would receive per student.

Irving-based Michaels is expanding into the party supply space, making a play for the territory left by Party City's store closings.

State of play: The arts and crafts retailer plans to expand party supplies by 200% beginning in August in stores and online, adding more than 500 products across paper party, accessories and décor.

• Stores have started adding 300 balloon options, offering premade balloon bouquets, and will enhance "in-store experiences for birthday parties and private events."
• The company is also expanding its fabric assortment as bankrupt Joann prepares to close its stores.

Between the lines: Store closings can be a boon for competitors, and Michaels seems to have taken note.

• New Amscan, an affiliate of Ad Populum, was the winning bidder for the Party City brand and company's wholesale division.
• Michaels was listed as the backup bidder for Party City's intellectual property, according to bankruptcy court documents.

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Dallas will start hosting monthly jazz shows in public parks tonight.

Why it matters: The free concerts give people of all economic backgrounds a chance to enjoy the city's cultural scene.

The latest: Jazz saxophonist Tom Braxton and the Community All Star Band play at 6pm at Kiest Park in Oak Cliff.

Zoom out: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will have a free chamber concert 5-6pm today at the Shirley and Bill McIntyre Park.

• The chamber will also perform May 15.

What's next: Dallas Live in the Park will feature jazz artists, including local performers like Len Barnett, throughout the season. All shows are 6-8pm.

• May 15 at Fretz Park.
• June 12 at Hamilton Park.
• July 17 at Singing Hills Park.
• Aug. 21 at City Park.
• Sept. 18 at Main Street Garden.

If you go: Take snacks and a blanket or lawn chairs to kick back and enjoy.

🩺 A Rockwall County resident tested positive for measles last week after traveling to West Texas, where more than 550 cases have been confirmed. (Star-Telegram)

❌ Over 250 international students at Texas universities have had their legal immigration status revoked. (Texas Tribune)

⛪ The Tarrant County Commissioners Court voted to allow a Ten Commandments monument to be placed on county grounds. (KERA)

🖥️ A Kansas-based firm plans to spend $650 million on new data centers in southern Dallas County. (DMN)

LeBron James' new Ken doll inspired us to create a doll concept for our favorite cowboy, Big Tex.

The intrigue: A new social media trend helps ChatGPT users imagine how a doll version of them could look.

How it works: Upload your photo to ChatGPT and use this prompt to ask the platform to generate an image of your action figure box.

• You can name the doll and request accessories that describe your personality.
• Instead of generating our own dolls, we asked the platform to generate an AI image based on Big Tex.

The other side: Illustrators and environment experts have expressed concerns about the trend.

The bottom line: The 2025 State Fair of Texas is only 161 days away. That's plenty of time to send our AI Big Tex to the assembly line.

Worthy of your time: AI's climate impact is still a black box