Latest Contributions

• Texas lawmakers will have new money going into special session on education, comptroller says

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: Sept. 22, 2023

  Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar says the state has collected more from insurance premiums that he had previously predicted. He suggested lawmakers invest more in teacher pay raises. Full Story 

• For Paxton lawyers, the trial was a “sham.” House managers say it exposed a “corrupt politician.”

  by Karen Brooks Harper and Robert Downen Sept. 16, 2023

  Finally freed of a gag order, the opposing sides pulled no punches after the attorney general was acquitted. Full Story 

• ‘An epidemic’: Syphilis rages through Texas, causing newborn cases to climb amid treatment shortage

  by Karen Brooks Harper and Jayme Lozano Carver Sept. 13, 2023

  Syphilis rates in Texas continue to climb, alarming healthcare workers who see the highest increases among pregnant people and newborns. A shortage of treatment is complicating efforts to combat it. Full Story 

• Texas can now apply to import lower-priced Canadian medications

  by Karen Brooks Harper Aug. 29, 2023

  Texas joins a handful of states turn to the north for cheaper drugs. But feds have been slow to approve requests, three years after giving initial OK. Full Story 

• Billions in property tax cuts need Texas voters’ approval before taking effect. Here’s what you need to know.

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: Aug. 7, 2023

  Legislation passed this month would raise the state’s homestead exemption to $100,000, lower schools’ tax rates and put an appraisal cap on residential and commercial properties, among other measures. But voters must approve a constitutional amendment first. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott signs $18 billion tax cut package for Texas property owners

  by Karen Brooks Harper July 24, 2023

  At a time when the state has some of the nation’s highest property taxes, the initiative was a cornerstone of his 2022 reelection campaign. Full Story 

• Long-awaited $18 billion property tax-cut deal heads to Gov. Greg Abbott

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: July 13, 2023

  House Democrats attempted to insert benefits for renters and more money for public education into the tax-cuts package in a series of floor amendments but were unsuccessful. Full Story 

• Property tax cuts hit the fast track as Texas Senate advances long-awaited agreement

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: July 12, 2023

  The package could land on Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk by the end of the week. Voters must pass the plan in a constitutional election in November for it to take effect in the 2023 tax year. Full Story 

• Texas House and Senate reach a deal on how to cut property taxes

  by Karen Brooks Harper and Joshua Fechter Updated: July 10, 2023

  The deal would channel $12 billion to reduce the school property tax rate for homeowners and business properties, increase the homestead exemption, and create a pilot program to reduce taxes on certain residential and commercial properties. The legislation is expected to pass later this week. Full Story 

• With second special session underway, Texas lawmakers offer opening property tax-cut proposals

  by Joshua Fechter, Karen Brooks Harper and James Barragán June 28, 2023

  A stalemate among Texas’ top Republicans has dragged on for months. Tax-cut proponents in the House and Senate made their first pitches to end the impasse Wednesday. Full Story