UPDATED: After days of jockeying and one-upsmanship, the Texas House and Senate each approved measures Wednesday evening critical to passing their next two-year budget.
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
Higher Education
Senate Votes to Extend UT-Austin’s Admissions Cap
The Senate approved an extension of the University of Texas at Austin’s cap on automatic admissions under the state’s top 10 percent rule on Tuesday, and members rejected efforts to do away with the rule entirely.
Posted in
Higher Education
Nominations Committee Approves UT Regent Nominees
The Senate Nominations Committee unanimously voted Tuesday to approve Gov. Rick Perry’s three nominees to the University of Texas System Board of Regents. The nominees must still be confirmed by the full Senate.
Posted inState Government
House, Senate Negotiators Reach Deal on Budget
After days of negotiations, House and Senate representatives agreed to a budget plan that would add roughly $4 billion in extra funding for public education. It also paves the way for a $2 billion fund for water infrastructure projects.
Posted inState Government
House Democrats: Budget Deal Still Not in Place
UPDATED: Half a day after Senate budget leaders said the contours of a budget deal were in place, confusion and uncertainty reigned in the Capitol as key negotiators argued over competing proposals.
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State Government
House, Senate Clash Over Dutton Bill Resolved
UPDATED: Friday morning’s clash between the House and Senate appears to be water under the bridge. Lawmakers in the upper chamber said it was a tussle over a local Houston matter — but that they’re working to resolve it.
Posted in
Transportation
Infrastructure Constraints Loom as Texas Grows
Texas’ drought and water-supply problems have captured headlines. But with the state’s rapid population growth projected to continue, other infrastructure problems also loom, including clogged roads and a strained power grid.
Posted inState Government
Budget Deal Remains in Flux After Hearings Canceled
UPDATED: The cancellation of two key committee hearings Thursday put into clear focus that budget negotiations, believed to be nearly done just two days earlier, remained ongoing.
Posted in
Economy
Senate Sponsor Significantly Rewrites Franchise Tax Bill
House Bill 500, the Legislature’s most sweeping attempt at reforming the franchise tax this session, was drastically rewritten Thursday morning by its Senate sponsor, state Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy.
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Bidness As Usual
Irony Abounds in Debate Over Ethics Proposals
In this session’s ethics battles, watchdogs say there’s more contradiction than conviction.