Amid a series of scandals, most lawmakers say they want to reform the way Texas hands out billions in state contracts. Discussion has narrowed to a handful of bills that some warn are merely first steps.
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
State Government
Bonnen: I’d Scrap Sales Tax Cut for Larger Business Tax Cut
House Ways and Means Chairman Dennis Bonnen said Tuesday that he’d be fine with scrapping the tax cut plans offered by the House and Senate in favor of instituting an even larger cut in the franchise tax paid by businesses.
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State Government
Video Shows Tense Exchange Between Pickett and Stickland
A week after a dramatic committee hearing that culminated in state Rep. Joe Pickett throwing fellow Rep. Jonathan Stickland out of the committee room, video of the hearing was posted online.
Posted inState Government
Senfronia Thompson Expands Lawmakers’ Legislative Lexicon
The Houston Democrat has been in the House since 1973 and has learned some parliamentary tricks along the way. This week, Ms. T taught many of her colleagues about one of those maneuvers.
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State Government
House Panel Refers Witness Registration Inquiry to Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers will investigate allegations that witnesses were improperly registered to testify on a bill banning red light cameras at a transportation committee hearing last week.
Posted in
Economy
House Rejects Tax Break for Pricey Boats
Lawmakers have soundly rejected a bill to cap the state sales tax on certain boat purchases worth more than $250,000. State Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, said his measure was about helping the struggling recreational marine industry.
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Criminal Justice
A Smorgasbord of Disclosure, Online for the First Time
A state lawmaker is pushing to make all financial disclosure statements filed with the Texas Ethics Commission available online so the public can easily find them. In that spirit, the Tribune presents the disclosures filed by scores of state agency heads, regents and others that you can’t get online now.
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State Government
Rural Critics Organize to Stop Private Bullet Train
Dallas and Houston leaders may want a super-fast train connecting their cities, but folks in between aren’t as sold on the idea. Some have formed Texans Against High-Speed Rail, and they’re hiring lobbyists and courting allies in a bid to kill the plan.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
The Complicated Politics of Red Light Cameras
State Rep. Jonathan Stickland’s ejection from a House Transportation Committee hearing aside, activists devoted to purging Texas of red light cameras say they aren’t thrilled with the bills under consideration this session.
Posted in
State Government
Panel to Investigate After Lawmaker Ejected From Committee Hearing
The chairman of the House Committee on General Investigating and Ethics said he plans to investigate allegations that witnesses were signed up improperly to speak at a meeting from which state Rep. Jonathan Stickland was escorted out.
