The House substitute of controversial Senate Bill 2 was left pending after state Rep. Dennis Bonnen railed against local leaders still unhappy with changes to the property tax bill.
Brandon Formby
Brandon Formby works with The Texas Tribune’s beat editors and reporters to bring Texans the news, analysis and explanatory journalism they need to put pressing issues into perspective. Previously, as an editor on the news desk, he helped steer coverage of legislative sessions, natural disasters, prolonged power outages, mass shootings and the coronavirus pandemic. As a reporter, he covered urban affairs. Before joining the Tribune in 2016, he reported on transportation, politics and local government for The Dallas Morning News. Brandon grew up in Plano and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas Tech University. He is based in Austin.
Posted in
State Government
House tweak to Houston pension bill could buy firefighters’ fund more time
Houston’s problematic pension funds, which have caused financial woes and spurred political battles for years, just moved closer to getting a massive makeover.
Posted inState Government
Trump appoints Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne as regional HUD administrator
As Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne’s second mayoral term ends, the Republican known for speaking out against illegal immigration and Sharia begins overseeing housing and urban development for five states.
Posted in
State Government
House defeats bill that would’ve allowed the expansion of toll road projects
The Texas House shot down House Bill 2861, a measure that would’ve allowed the Texas Department of Transportation to use tolls to fund the construction, renovation or widening of several highways.
Posted in
Transportation
Opponents of proposed Dallas-Houston bullet train push lawmakers to kill it
As the legislative session reaches its final weeks, opponents of a private firm’s plans to build a bullet train line between Dallas and Houston are urging lawmakers will pass one of several bills that would likely kill it.
Posted in
State Government
Texas House passes Dallas pension overhaul with little debate
The bill sailed through the lower chamber with three amendments from a Dallas lawmaker, all of which garnered support from author State Rep. Dan Flynn.
Posted in
State Government
Texas House gives preliminary approval to Dallas pension overhaul
Six last-minute amendments have yet to be heard on State Rep. Dan Flynn’s attempt to prevent Dallas’ police and fire retirement system from going bankrupt within 10 years.
Posted in
State Government
Texas Senate passes bill overhauling Houston’s troubled pension systems
On a 25-5 vote, the Texas Senate passed a bill aimed at overhauling Houston’s troubled pension funds. The bill’s author also added a provision that could shift future employees to new retirement system if shortfalls worsen or persist.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Pension fights in Dallas, Houston raise fears of police, firefighter shortages
Amid efforts by the Legislature to address immediate pension crises in Houston and Dallas, some see an opportunity to push for a sea change in how cities fund pensions. Critics predict such a move could drive first responders away in droves.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Dallas police officers, firefighters rail against mayor’s handling of pension crisis
Mike Rawlings says he’s trying to protect taxpayers as he opposes bill aimed at fixing shortfall. But first responders say he could exacerbate a shortage of police officers and firefighters.
