A Travis County district judge dismissed a lawsuit Friday by the city of Austin that challenged the state’s property tax system.
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 inState Government
Otto: Last Two Primary Seasons Have Not Been Fun
Also, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warns the Houston mayor not to try to revive the defeated HERO.
Posted in
Politics
Appeals Court Backs Ethics Commission in Dispute with Activist
A state appeals court ruled Thursday that conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan lives in Austin despite his claims otherwise, so his dispute with the state Ethics Commission will play out in Travis County.
Posted in
Health care
Ahead of 2017 Session, Straus Issues Directives for Texas House
House Speaker Joe Straus issued more than 150 interim charges Wednesday, directing committees to study issues such as the effectiveness of border security operations and the impact of the plummeting cost of oil on the local economy.
Posted in
Economy
Amendments Sail to Easy Passage
Voters overwhelmingly favored seven changes to the Texas constitution, including measures that will cut property taxes, boost funding for road projects beginning in 2017 and let state officeholders live outside of Austin.
Posted in
Health care
Texas-based Mannatech at Center of Questions About Carson’s Ethics
GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson faces questions about his ties to Texas dietary supplement maker Mannatech, and that criticism is being fueled by a 2009 settlement secured by then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Posted in
State Government
State Auditor John Keel Resigning After More than Decade
After more than a decade at the job, State Auditor John Keel plans to retire as of Jan. 4, his office confirmed Monday.
Posted in
Economy
Firms Large and Small Vying to Help Texas Build Gold Depository
More than a dozen companies responded to a recent request from Comptroller Glenn Hegar for input on how Texas should set up a planned gold bullion depository.
Posted in
State Government
Paxton Files to Intervene in Austin Tax Lawsuit
Accusing the city of Austin of trying to “take control over Texas tax policy,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office asked a court Thursday to allow it to intervene in the city’s lawsuit challenging the state’s property appraisal system.
Posted inState Government
Konni Burton-Organized SD-24 Forum Draws Three Candidates
The forum, which had drawn opposition from the local county GOP, touched on topics like same-sex marriage, red light cameras, school choice and border security.
