Past Contributions

• Lawmakers Vying to Bring More Transparency to State Contracting

  By Aman Batheja March 10, 2015

  Texas lawmakers consider different approaches to transforming the state's unwieldy, loophole-ridden system of contract oversight into something that can be properly tracked, analyzed and, when needed, restrained. Full Story 

• Mechler Picked as New Texas GOP Chair

  By Aman Batheja March 7, 2015

  State Republican leaders selected Texas Republican Party treasurer Tom Mechler as the party’s new chairman Saturday, replacing Steve Munisteri, who is leaving to join U.S. Sen. Rand Paul's likely 2016 presidential campaign. Full Story 

• Paddie's Lyft-for-Hire Bill Runs Uber Cities

  By Aman Batheja March 6, 2015

  With various Texas cities imposing different rules on vehicle-for-hire apps Uber and Lyft, state Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, is pushing a bill to let the state take over regulation of the services. Full Story 

• Differing Views on Display at Senate Tax Relief Week

  By John Reynolds and Aman Batheja March 5, 2015

  Some think the promised tax relief is too much, too soon while others think it tackles the wrong priority. Full Story 

• Rising Local Debt Draws Attention of Legislature

  By Aman Batheja March 5, 2015

  State coffers are flush with cash, but local governments are continuing to borrow heavily to provide services. State legislators have filed more than a dozen bills aimed at how cities, counties and school districts can borrow money. Full Story 

• Senate Tax Cut Plan Draws Several Critics at Hearing

  By Aman Batheja March 4, 2015

  There's a lot of ways you can spend $4.6 billion in tax cuts, and the Senate Finance Committee learned Wednesday that a wide range of special interest groups think the current proposal could use some work. Full Story 

• Patrick: Exempt Tax Cuts, Debt Payments From Spending Cap

  By Aman Batheja March 4, 2015

  Senate leaders joined Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to announce a plan to allow lawmakers to cut property taxes and pay down the state's debt without busting the state’s politically charged spending cap. Full Story 

• Senators Show Interest in Ditching Margins Tax

  By Aman Batheja March 3, 2015

  As a key Senate committee prepares to hear public testimony on tax cut proposals Wednesday, senators expressed strong interest in repealing the state's unpopular margins tax on businesses, which has raised $4.7 billion annually. Full Story 

• A Texas-Sourced Push to Reauthorize Ex-Im Bank

  By John Reynolds, Aman Batheja and Jim Malewitz, The Texas Tribune, and Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal Feb. 26, 2015

  Also, a roundup of notable legislative filing activity, and it was Blue Bell day at the Capitol. Full Story 

• Lawmaker's Bill a Silver Bullet to Stop Train

  By Aman Batheja Feb. 25, 2015

  A bill filed by state Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, Wednesday would require the governing body of every city and county along the route to approve a planned high-speed rail project. There's very little chance that would happen. Full Story