The House on Monday sent five members to negotiate a budget with the Senate, with instructions to avoid anything that looks like it would expand the state’s Medicaid program.
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.
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State Government
Perry Stuns Lawmakers by Urging House to Bust Spending Cap
UPDATE: Gov. Rick Perry told House Republicans in a private meeting this week that he could support a budget that breaks the state’s constitutional spending cap, according to several attendees. But many are still wary of doing so.
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Economy
House Budget Writers Support $500 Million More for Schools
The House Appropriations Committee unanimously approved an $874.9 million supplemental budget bill Thursday that includes $500 million more for schools and covers bills for last year’s wildfires.
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State Government
Perry Wants Texas Gun Firms to Sidestep Fed Oversight
Gov. Rick Perry said he has talked with Attorney General Greg Abbott and constitutional lawyers about allowing certain gun manufacturers in the state to be exempt from federal gun control measures.
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Economy
Perry Calls for $1.6 Billion in Business Tax Cuts
Gov. Rick Perry unveiled a four-point, $1.6 billion business tax relief plan Monday that includes an across-the-board rate reduction of the business franchise tax.
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Economy
Perry Ad Campaign Targets Illinois Businesses
UPDATED: Gov. Rick Perry launched a weeklong ad campaign Monday to lure Illinois businesses to Texas. The effort follows recent high-profile efforts by Perry to poach businesses from California.
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Transportation
Hidalgo County Prepares for Rise in Produce Trucks
A highway under construction in Mexico is widely expected to lead to a surge in produce trucks from Mexico’s western growing regions entering the U.S. through Hidalgo County.
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State Government
Perry Backs Dedicated Car Sales Taxes for Highway Fund
Gov. Rick Perry on Friday said he likes the idea of dedicating a portion of future car sales taxes to road projects and also said he’s open to spending up to $6 billion of the Rainy Day Fund on infrastructure projects.
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Energy
Senate Sets Up Debate on Rainy Day Fund Spending
The full Texas Senate will consider a plan to spend about half of the projected $11.8 billion balance in the state’s Rainy Day Fund for transportation and water projects, though Democrats plan to push for money for schools as well.
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Economy
Roadblocks Emerge for Transportation Funding
With less than two months left in the legislative session, some lawmakers are lowering expectations on what can get done related to funding for roads.