With major policy differences emerging, state leaders continue to project unity
Halfway through the legislative session, lawmakers say they're getting along. But they have a long way to go to achieve their goals this year. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen hold a joint press conference on the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion on Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Asking Texas voters to swap higher sales taxes for property tax cuts
Texas voters told candidates they want property tax relief, and it's remarkably expensive. That's why state lawmakers are talking about higher sales taxes. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, discusses public education at an event moderated by Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith in Austin on March 14, 2019. Huberty is chairman of the House Public Education Committee.]()
Credit: John Jordan/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The Texas Legislature wasn’t built for harmony. It was built for debate.
As the Texas Legislature digs into the busiest half of the session, early harmony is giving way to difference and debate. The House and Senate are easing into their traditional roles — as rivals. Full Story
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![Flanked by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (left) and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Gov. Greg Abbott addresses members of the Texas legislature and judiciary at his State of the State address in the House chambers at the Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texans want voter approval of property tax hikes, says UT/TT Poll
Texans want local governments to get permission for property tax hikes over a set amount and don't think such a restriction would hobble services, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Credit: Photo Illustration by Jeff Heimsath / Emily Albracht for The Texas Tribune -
Teachers, tell us your thoughts about the Texas Legislature's proposed $5,000 pay raises
Texas lawmakers are considering a proposal that would increase teacher pay by $5,000. We want to talk to teachers about their salaries. Full Story
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![Coleman High School physics and computer science teacher Gary Strickland goes over classroom rules on the first day of school on Aug. 23, 2017. Strickland is a finalist for TASA's secondary teacher of the year award.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
After state leaders’ unified rollout, 2.5 percent rollback rate on property tax bill looks unlikely to stick
Weeks after state leaders trumpeted a consensus property tax reform proposal, few seem married to the bill's pitch to cut the rollback rate to 2.5 percent. Full Story
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![From left: Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; Gov. Greg Abbott; House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton; and Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, speak at a Jan 31, 2019, news conference addressing property tax reform.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas community colleges warn they may consider tuition hikes in the face of property tax reform
Property taxes are one of three main sources of revenue for community colleges. If growth in those taxes is limited, the colleges say they may have to look elsewhere for revenue. Full Story
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![The Austin Community College Riverside campus on Feb. 27, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: It takes more than three high officials to make Texas laws
What started as unity at the top of Texas government is now in the hands of state legislators, who are better known for killing bills and changing the original intentions. Case in point: property taxes. Full Story
![From left: Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; Gov. Greg Abbott; House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton; and Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, speak at a Jan 31, 2019, news conference addressing property tax reform.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The challenge of reining in property taxes at no cost to schools
A Texas Senate committee is moving rapidly to require voter approval for local property tax increases over 2.5 percent. But some want to see the Legislature's school finance bill before they vote on property taxes. Full Story
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![Property Tax committee Chairman and state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, during the Senate Property Tax Committee Hearing on on Feb. 6, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Corporations can’t donate to politicians. But $100,000 got them VIP treatment during Gov. Greg Abbott’s inauguration.
Donations to the inauguration are not deemed political contributions under state statute. And the inaugural committee, whose creation is mandated by law, is not required to make financial disclosures before this summer. Full Story
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![Air Force fighter planes fly over the state capitol during the Oath of Office Ceremony. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Governor Greg Abbott were sworn into their respective offices. Jan. 15, 2019. Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Something’s missing from the opening bid for property tax “relief” in Texas
The property tax legislation unveiled by state leaders this week carries an implicit promise — that local school districts will get more state money — but doesn't say where that money might come from. Full Story
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![From left: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen speak at a joint press conference addressing property tax reform. Jan 31, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas leaders want voters to OK property tax revenue growth over 2.5 percent. They couldn't get 4 percent in 2017.
The leaders of both legislative chambers say they will be united this year — even if cities and counties push back — and that local officials should come to Austin with solutions in hand if they don't like new proposals. Full Story
![From left: Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; Gov. Greg Abbott; House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton; and Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, speak at a Jan 31, 2019, news conference addressing property tax reform.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Political hardball, committee assignments spark joy and drama alike in the Texas Legislature
In this episode of our documentary series "Under the Dome," House and Senate leaders make their highly anticipated committee assignments — and one longtime lawmaker ends up in the doghouse. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
In the Texas House, they're seen as lobbyists. In the Senate, they sit at the press table.
Two employees of the influential conservative group Empower Texans have been granted media credentials in the upper chamber. In the past — and in the House — they were rejected. Full Story
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![Destin Sensky and Brandon Waltens, two employees of Texas Scorecard, a product of the influential political group Empower Texans, sit at the end of the Texas Senate press table on Jan. 16, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A Texas senator’s reputation, in a word
What began as a lieutenant governor's unusual admonishment of a state senator has turned into something else: a smear campaign. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (right) swears in state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, as president pro tempore of the Senate on opening day of the 85th Texas Legislature on Jan. 10, 2017. Looking on are Seliger's sons Matthew (left) and Jonathan (hidden) and wife Nancy.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Dan Patrick sends a message to Kel Seliger — and 30 other Texas senators
A Republican senator criticized by an aide to the lieutenant governor came back with a rebuke — a jab that cost him his best committee assignment. There's a lesson in that for the other 30 senators, and a new landscape in the Senate. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick meets privately with Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, on the dais during a break in Senate proceedings Jan. 21, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pulls Sen. Kel Seliger’s chairmanship after Seliger suggested Patrick aide kiss his “back end”
Patrick cited a "lewd comment" by Seliger in explaining the move. The two have been tussling over committee assignments in recent days. Full Story
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![Senator Kel Seliger, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee listens to testimony from Chancellors of Texas Universities, including Lee Jackson, Chancellor of the University of North Texas System.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Unfunded state mandates have a new enemy — the governor of Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott and his partners in office want to impose limits on the size of local property tax increases, and the governor has added a twist those local governments might like: He has targeted unfunded state mandates. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses attendees at the Oath of Office Ceremony on the state Capitol grounds on Jan. 15, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick announces Senate committee assignments, making a few noticeable shifts
Two Democrats and 14 Republicans will chair the upper chamber's committees. Full Story
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![The Texas Senate during the 86th legislative session. Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Property taxes in Texas are high. Don’t expect the Legislature to change that.
Texas leaders are promising property tax relief during this year's legislative session. It's unlikely that will lower your taxes, but it might slow future increases. Full Story
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen hold a joint press conference on the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion on Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune