Past Contributions

• Toll Road Projects in Limbo Following Session

  By Aman Batheja June 24, 2015

  Texas' network of tolled highways stretches for more than 500 miles, but its growth was curtailed this session as lawmakers passed several measures that make it tougher for toll projects to move forward. Full Story 

• Catch Up on Budget & Tax Issues From This Session

  By Aman Batheja and Ross Ramsey June 19, 2015

  By the end of the 84th legislative session, state lawmakers reached many compromises on the 2016-17 budget and tax cuts. See what lawmakers decided — and how they got there — with our Texas Legislative Guide. Full Story 

• Capitol May Finally Get African-American Tribute

  By Aman Batheja June 19, 2015

  After more than 20 years of efforts to place a monument to African-Americans on Capitol grounds "littered" with Confederate tributes, state lawmakers have approved $1.5 million that should bring the African-American Texans memorial monument to fruition. Full Story 

• Supreme Court: Texas Can Ban Confederate License Plates

  By Aman Batheja June 18, 2015

  In a 5-4 ruling released Thursday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court backed Texas’ decision to forbid specialty license plates sporting an image of the Confederate flag. Full Story 

• Signing Tax Cut Bills, Abbott Predicts "New Era of Job Growth"

  By Aman Batheja June 15, 2015

  Declaring “a new era of job growth in the state of Texas,” Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed a $2.56 billion bill cutting the franchise tax rate paid by businesses by 25 percent. Full Story 

• State Budget Includes $500,000 to Subsidize Texas Almanac

  By Aman Batheja June 12, 2015

  Tucked in the $209 billion budget lawmakers passed last month is a budget rider allocating $500,000 for a nonprofit to publish the Texas Almanac, a reference guide that had gotten by for over a century as a for-profit publication. Full Story 

• Deconstructing the Session: A Look at the Leaders

  By Aman Batheja June 10, 2015

  As the Legislature took up the budget and other important issues, the leadership of Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus were put to the test multiple times. Listen to our discussion of the three leaders in a special episode of Texas Standard. Full Story 

• Catch Up on Transportation Issues From the Session

  By Aman Batheja June 10, 2015

  While lawmakers reached an agreement to boost transportation funding during the 84th legislative session, other issues stalled. See what happened on all transportation issues from this session using our Texas Legislative Guide. Full Story 

• Abbott Signs Higher Ed Bill Ending Fund Touted by Perry

  By Aman Batheja June 4, 2015

  Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill Thursday that eliminates a controversial startup investment fund long touted by his predecessor, Rick Perry. The legislation directs much of the fund's money to a new researcher recruitment effort. Full Story 

• At TxDOT, Concerns About Revolving Door Provision

  By Aman Batheja June 2, 2015

  At the Texas Department of Transportation, employees have expressed concern about the impact of a bill aimed at reducing conflicts of interests in state contracting. Gov. Greg Abbott signaled Tuesday that he intends to sign the bill. Full Story