/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/batheja-aman_G6q1v70.jpg)
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.
Texas’ recent attempts to figure out what will happen with oil prices have one thing in common: They’re rarely accurate. But that’s the norm for most anyone watching the volatile petroleum industry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/OilSunset.jpg)
Tuesday's vote for speaker of the Texas House will provide "a sense of hope" to "the people of America," state Rep. Scott Turner told a small rally of supporters at a La Quinta Inn near the Capitol Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/GW1A2835Turner3.jpg)
Announcing a two-year revenue estimate that reflects "uncertainties in oil prices and the possibilities of a slowing global economy," Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Monday that lawmakers will have $113 billion to divvy up in the next two-year budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/GW1A2767.jpg)
There's no doubt that Gov. Rick Perry has left his mark on the state’s approach to funding roads. Aman Batheja writes that under Perry's leadership, Texas has been the country’s most aggressive supporter of tolling and private-sector investment in transportation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/19/_0000_perrylegacy-share_transpo.png_1.jpg)
More than 100 firms have benefited from the Texas Enterprise Fund, the economic incentive program championed by Gov. Rick Perry to lure more jobs to Texas. Aman Batheja writes that Perry's office has nicknamed the fund “the deal closer,” but critics have a different name for it: slush fund. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/19/_0007_perrylegacy-share_enterprise.png.jpg)
UPDATED: Amid accusations of cronyism involving a state agency's handling of a $110 million Medicaid fraud contract, a new state audit has found conflicts of interest and sloppy accounting in one of the agency's contracts with AT&T. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/D54H5582.jpg)
Incoming Comptroller Glenn Hegar is on the hot seat as a nosedive in crude oil prices – and the increasingly gloomy forecasts that have followed – cast a pall over the next legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/19/Dudes_copy.jpg)
Next year will mark the fifth legislative session in a row where Texas lawmakers have considered a statewide ban on smoking in public places. More than 100 Texas cities haven't waited for them, despite pushback from some businesses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/VerySmokeyCigarette.jpg)
The Texas House hasn't held a contested record vote for speaker since 1975, but state Rep. Scott Turner aims to change that. Turner is looking to unseat House Speaker Joe Straus, who has held the office since 2009. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/12/ScottTurnerRedState01.jpg)
Lawmakers on Thursday chose $7 billion as an appropriate minimum balance for the Rainy Day Fund in a meeting that took just a few minutes but will have far-reaching consequences. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PiggyBankBudget.jpg)