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Aman Batheja was a political reporter and editor for the Tribune from 2012 to 2019. Previously he worked for eight years at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, most of that time covering state and local politics. A native of Cedarhurst, New York, he has an undergraduate degree in journalism and psychology from New York University and a master's in economics from the University of Texas at Arlington.
The Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday voted 8-1 in favor of a proposal to dedicate some of the sales tax collected on automobile sales to improving roads — but not before several lawmakers expressed reservations. Full Story
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The last time lawmakers cut property taxes, it barely registered with most voters because appraisal increases and local tax hikes overwhelmed the savings. This year's cut will be smaller, but Republican leaders hope people will feel richer for it. Full Story
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The day before Texas lawmakers begin considering a major transportation bill, state leaders made a concerted push for the measure as part of a larger effort to boost much-needed highway funding. Full Story
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A state program pushes agencies to skip competitive bidding for more than $100 million in annual purchases in favor of hiring nonprofits that employ disabled workers. Full Story
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House Speaker Joe Straus said Wednesday that he will work to extend the Texas National Guard's stay at the border but that he remained opposed to a "long-term deployment." Full Story
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The firm hoping to build a privately financed high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston announced its preferred route Tuesday. Texas Central Railway hopes to be transporting Texans between the two cities by 2021. Full Story
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Former state Rep. Tryon Lewis and San Antonio banker J. Bruce Bugg Jr. will replace Chairman Ted Houghton and Commissioner Fred Underwood on the Texas Transportation Commission. Full Story
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Comptroller Glenn Hegar is urging lawmakers to consider allowing his office to invest a portion of the Rainy Day Fund more aggressively, arguing that a greater return is worth the greater risk with the savings account. Full Story
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Also, the Senate Finance chief files a graduate medical education bill and more ominous news on oil prices. Full Story
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The House’s chief budget writer on Thursday praised a proposal to overhaul the school finance system by grouping the state’s 1,026 regular school districts into a few "school finance districts" — a tax move aimed at equalizing per-student funding statewide. Full Story
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