Abbott Plans to Add $4 Billion to Road Funding
Gov.-elect Greg Abbott wants to add $4 billion each year to build and maintain Texas roads, nearly closing the annual budget shortfall at the Texas Department of Transportation. Full Story
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Aman Batheja
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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.
Past Contributions
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![Greg Abbott said boosting transportation funding would be a priority for him during his first term as governor.]()
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Turner and Beck Throw Barbs at Straus
State Rep. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, and conservative radio show host Glenn Beck took turns criticizing House Speaker Joe Straus on Monday in the latest salvo in Turner's bid to unseat Straus. Full Story
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![State Rep. Scott Turner, R-Frisco (l.) and conservative commentator Glenn Beck.]()
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Tighter Spending Cap Could Keep Billions Out of State's Next Budget
Depending on your political leanings, the spending cap state lawmakers set this week was either too low, too high or just right. Regardless, the arcane measure could effectively block lawmakers from accessing billions of dollars in state revenue. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (right) and House Speaker Joe Straus listened to testimony on the cost of the continuing border surge during the Legislative Budget Board hearing's on Dec.1, 2014.]()
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Lower Speed Limits Coming in Drilling Areas
A rule change will allow the Texas Department of Transportation to move more quickly in lowering speed limits on particularly dangerous roads in the state's drilling regions in West and South Texas. Full Story
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Lawmakers Approve $86 Million for Border Surge
The Legislative Budget Board approved another $86 million to continue heightened law enforcement at the border, though some questioned whether the funds could be better used elsewhere. Full Story
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![A Texas Parks and Wildlife warden patrols the Rio Grande in July, 2014.]()
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Officials Adopt Spending Cap for Next Budget
State leaders including Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus have voted to set the state growth rate for the next two years at 11.68 percent, a move that will impact the budget lawmakers write in next year's session. Full Story
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Prop 1 Passed. Now What?
With the support of 80 percent of Texas voters, Proposition 1 is expected to add billions to the state highway fund without raising taxes or fees. For lawmakers, state officials and local stakeholders, now the real work begins. Full Story
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Texas House Bracing for First Contested Speaker Vote in 40 Years
Allies of both House Speaker Joe Straus and challenger Scott Turner are calling for a record vote in January when House lawmakers convene to elect their leader. Such a record vote hasn't occurred since 1975. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus (l) faces a challenge from Frisco state Rep. Scott Turner]()
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Audit Finds School Districts Grant Tax Breaks With Little Oversight
A state audit released Friday found weak oversight and some conflicts of interests at school districts that approve large property tax breaks for businesses. Full Story
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![A wind farm outside Lorraine, Texas, on Aug. 10, 2006.]()
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Reaction to Train Plan Less Rosy in Rural Texas
A private company's plan to spend billions of dollars to develop a bullet train connecting Dallas and Houston has drawn strong support from the two cities. But reaction from communities along the 240-mile route has been mixed. Full Story
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![Japan Central's N700 high speed train, the same train that a private firm wants to bring to Texas.]()
Credit: JR Central