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• Gov. Greg Abbott says he won’t give up COVID-era power until Texas lawmakers ban vaccine mandates, strengthen border

  by Karen Brooks Harper Jan. 26, 2023

  Abbott doubles down on his long-standing call to lawmakers to prohibit local governments from enacting mask and vaccine mandates. Full Story 

• Texas Legislature’s state budget proposals leave more than $50 billion in state funds up for grabs

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: Jan. 18, 2023

  The preliminary budgets by House and Senate call for $130.1 billion in state spending over two years, even though tens of billions more are available to them. The bills do not bust state or constitutional spending limits. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers will have $188.2 billion available for the next budget after record-breaking revenue growth

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: Jan. 10, 2023

  It’s far more money than legislators have ever had at their disposal, with an increase in available funds that dwarfs any previous jumps between cycles. It’s also more money than lawmakers can constitutionally spend. Full Story 

• Southwest Airlines’ holiday meltdown brings on federal investigation

  by Karen Brooks Harper Dec. 27, 2022

  The Dallas-based airline has canceled more flights than any other airline during the holidays, prompting federal investigators to ask why. Full Story 

• Texas hits 1,000 days under Greg Abbott’s public health disaster as a new COVID-19 wave and legislative session loom

  by Karen Brooks Harper Dec. 8, 2022

  After more than 92,000 deaths and 8 million reported COVID-19 cases in Texas, the state remains one of less than a dozen still under a statewide disaster or public health emergency. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers have a $27 billion surplus, but a spending cap complicates their goal of lowering property taxes

  by Karen Brooks Harper Nov. 30, 2022

  Texas homeowners have some of the highest property tax bills in the nation, a byproduct of the state’s reliance on such taxes to help pay for public schools and the state’s lack of an income tax. Full Story 

• Amid fallout from the Uvalde shooting, Texas DPS wants $1.2 billion for academy and active-shooter training facility

  by Karen Brooks Harper Nov. 23, 2022

  DPS is asking lawmakers to approve a $467 million active-shooter facility as a “down payment” for the training academy. “You play like you practice,” Director Steve McCraw said. Full Story 

• State leaders won’t commit to specifics about how much they might invest in children’s mental health

  by Karen Brooks Harper Nov. 14, 2022

  As public debate intensifies over how the state will divvy up billions in new money, community groups that treat children for mental illness fear they’re not a priority. Full Story 

• Crypto company that faces scrutiny from Texas regulators files for bankruptcy after competitor questioned its viability

  by Karen Brooks Harper Nov. 11, 2022

  FTX’s collapse came after customers raced to cash out their deposits when a major competitor questioned its viability and declined to buy the company in a bailout deal. Full Story 

• Republican victories show Texas is still far from turning blue

  by Karen Brooks Harper Nov. 9, 2022

  Republicans continued their 28-year dominance of statewide races but fell short of their hopes for a South Texas congressional sweep. Full Story