The latest Texas House of Representatives news from The Texas Tribune.
The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday backed a $209.8 billion two-year budget that would leave $8.4 billion on the table, along with billions more in the state’s savings account. The budget plan now goes to the full House. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/UP9A1123CMS.jpg)
A little-noticed bill filed on deadline by the chairman of the House's tax-writing committee could hold the session's biggest tax cut, but only if the House and Senate decide to cut taxes on sales instead of property. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capsized8.jpg)
Corsicana Republican state Rep. Byron Cook, who has an adopted child, says both same-sex adoptive parents should be listed on a Texas birth certificate. He believes it's best for the children, though it puts him at odds with his party's stance on gay rights issues. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fd749d56bd277c2c63798672bb5ef896/BD%20INC%20POO%202011)
Rick Perry, after all of those years as governor, was pretty predictable. With Gov. Greg Abbott two months into his new job, there is a fresh vibe at the state Capitol: uncertainty. The next 10 weeks should be telling. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/17/BDS_4435CMS.jpg)
Texas House budget writers put the final touches Thursday on a two-year budget that offers a different approach to boosting funding for transportation from the Senate. Full Story
Gov. Greg Abbott declared five emergency items in his State of the State speech, clearing the way for lawmakers to act quickly on them if they so choose. Here's a guide to the five items, related bills and where things stand. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/17/BDS_4260CMS.jpg)
As legislators considered several early education bills Tuesday afternoon, testimony was dominated by a debate over what standards school districts should meet to get additional state funding for pre-kindergarten programs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/18/DISDPre-K9.jpg)
Texas legislators have an unfamiliar problem: They have more money available to spend than their self-imposed limits will allow. And it's enough to start debates even where there is broad agreement. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/08/14/CampaignFinance-PavedWithMoney.jpg)
Here's some free advice to anyone hoping to see some love in the next state budget: Get in line. Tax cuts are at the front of the queue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/_S3R0030.jpg)
The first University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll of 2015 had good news for likely White House hopefuls Scott Walker and Hillary Clinton — so we’re kicking off this week’s playlist with George Jones singing “The Race Is On." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/28/Feb_28_Playlist_copy.jpg)
State Rep. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, is on his way to the Texas Senate, thanks in part to the "gringos y otros pendejos" derided last summer by his opponent and House colleague, Trey Martinez Fischer. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/11/20/Menendez_TMF_copy.jpg)
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, talk turns to the Big Three: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/15/Ross_Inside_Feb_15.jpg)
Full video of my 2/12 conversation with state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the newly appointed chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/John_Otto_2.jpg)
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jason Whitely, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey: a widely shared video in which a Florida congressman calls Texas a "crazy state." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/08/Ross_Inside_Feb_8.jpg)
Lobbyists are required to report everything they spend on government officials, including expensive meals at fancy restaurants. But state disclosure laws allow lobbyists to split the bills to avoid naming whom they've wined and dined. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/capitolbuilding9.jpg)
This year's Texas Muslim Capitol Day was marred by an inflammatory Facebook post from freshman state Rep. Molly White and a small but disruptive group of protesters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/29/Pledge_of_Alleigance.jpg)
Some of the Legislature's early actions indicate some ambivalence about the agencies and people who enforce state ethics laws. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/capitolbuilding5.jpg)
UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that a runoff will take place Feb. 17 in the special election for the House seat vacated by Lois Kolkhorst. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Capsized4.jpg)
It's a bribe when a lobbyist gives a public official something of value in exchange for a decision or a vote or some other official act. But there's an exception in Texas law that might surprise you. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib_Capitol_MS_3.jpg)
Full video of my 1/22 conversation with state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, the chairman of the House Public Education Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/UP9A9399.jpg)