Budget writers have added some last-minute cash for the Alamo, in large part to ensure the state holds on to a collection of Alamo artifacts from British music legend Phil Collins.
Aman Batheja
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.
Posted in
Politics
Senate Passes Anti-Gay Marriage Resolution in Lieu of Bill
Following an emotional floor debate, the Senate passed a resolution Wednesday reaffirming the state’s opposition to same-sex marriage, an action taken as it became clear a bill to prevent such marriages in Texas was dead.
Posted inState Government
Supplemental Budget Bill Addresses Health Care for Retired Teachers
The Texas Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to pass a $564.6 million bill that plugs holes in the current budget and shores up the health care plan for retired teachers.
Posted in
Politics
House Republicans Fail to Move Up Bills
House Democrats narrowly avoided a Republican-led effort on Tuesday to rearrange the chamber’s calendar to make sure controversial measures got a vote before a midnight deadline.
Posted in
Economy
House, Senate Leaders Confirm Transportation Funding Deal
House and Senate leaders have come to an agreement on a deal to significantly boost the Texas Department of Transportation’s funding.
Posted inState Government
House Enlarged Tax Relief Proposal’s Price Tag by $400 Million
The ball is in the Senate’s court on a major tax relief deal after the House unexpectedly increased the price tag by $400 million.
Posted in
Economy
House Unanimously Backs Property Tax Break
In a 136-1 vote, the House favored Senate Bill 1, which would raise the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000 if voters approve an amendment to the state Constitution in November.
Posted inState Government
Budget Negotiators Push Toward Final Agreements
Also, several bills were sent Thursday to the governor’s desk and a union dues bill heats up the Texas House.
Posted inState Government
House, Senate Negotiators Reach Deal on Budget
Top House and Senate negotiators sealed up the final unresolved issues on a two-year budget deal on Thursday evening, including removing controversial language that would have killed a proposed Dallas-Houston bullet train.
Posted in
Economy
State Leaders Reach Tax Cut Deal
UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus announced late Thursday the terms of a $3.8 billion tax relief package — a move that followed weeks of testy negotiations.
