Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation and Xerox, the company handling the state’s tolling operations, said Thursday that fixes to customer service and billing issues were in the works.
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
Criminal Justice
Day After Judge’s Ruling, Perry Vows to Keep Fighting Indictment
Former Gov. Rick Perry defended his actions related to a controversial 2013 veto Wednesday, a day after a judge ruled that a criminal case related to the veto could proceed against him.
Posted in
Economy
Nelson Emphasizes Property Tax Relief in Senate Base Budget
Nearly two weeks after the House’s base budget was released, Senate Finance Chairwoman Jane Nelson presented the Senate’s plan, which she said sets aside $3 billion for “meaningful” property tax relief for Texas homeowners.
Posted inState Government
Embattled Tech Firm Keeps State Contract
While other state agencies have canceled contracts with Austin technology firm 21CT, the secretary of state’s office said Thursday it plans to continue its business relationship with the company.
Posted in
Transportation
Bill Targets Toll Road’s Power to Take Land
Only one private company in the state has the power to condemn and take land for a toll road. Following public backlash over its proposed road near Dallas, state Rep. Cindy Burkett, R-Sunnyvale, wants to take that power away.
Posted inState Government
Scorecard Season Already in Full Swing
Also, House officials say the supplemental bill for Medicaid is shrinking, and the state archives will receive Gov. Rick Perry’s records.
Posted in
Economy
Straus: $202 Billion Budget Plan Reflects Fiscal Discipline
House Speaker Joe Straus said the House’s base budget plan, released Thursday, holds “spending in check while addressing some very important challenges related to our rapid growth.” The Senate’s base budget is expected to come out next week.
Posted in
Economy
Musk: Texas a “Leading Candidate” to Host Hyperloop Test Track
Entrepreneur Elon Musk said Thursday that Texas is in the driver’s seat for a test track for a transportation system known as the Hyperloop. He also said that a SpaceX facility wouldn’t have been built in Texas without economic incentives.
Posted in
Politics
Straus Aims to Expand Authority for House Investigations
When members debate the proposed rules for the House on Thursday, they’ll discuss a plan from House Speaker Joe Straus to expand one committee’s jurisdiction in investigating state agencies and practices.
Posted inState Government
Straus Re-elected House Speaker Over Tea Party Challenger Turner
UPDATED: With the backing of 85 percent of the Texas House, San Antonio Republican Joe Straus was re-elected to his fourth term Tuesday. Straus drew 128 votes for re-election against challenger state Rep. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, who drew 19 votes.
