Analysis: Fear of Spending Even Extends to Tax Cuts
Lawmakers want to send voters a tax cut but fear spending the money the cut requires without asking voters for permission. Full Story
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![State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a budget press conference on Jan. 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: March 5, 2015
Business interests told Senate budget writers on Wednesday that a tax relief plan focused on making changes to the business margins tax prioritized the wrong issue. Full Story
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Patrick: Exempt Tax Cuts, Debt Payments From Spending Cap
Senate leaders joined Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to announce a plan to allow lawmakers to cut property taxes and pay down the state's debt without busting the state’s politically charged spending cap. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson R-Flower Mound, together with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, hold a press conference on the budget on Jan. 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: In Senate, Spotlight Squarely on Tax Cuts
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
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 4, 2015
Senate budget writers in the middle of what they are describing as "Tax Relief Week" expressed remorse en masse at having created the business margins tax in 2006. Full Story
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![Senators Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen and Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, listen to DPS Director Steve McCraw testify Dec. 1, 2014 at the Legislative Budget Board meeting at the State Capitol.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Patrick Unveils First Round of Education Proposals
Virtual learning, A-through-F school ratings and teacher quality were among the topics covered by broad slate of education reform bills announced by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Education Chairman Larry Taylor on Tuesday. Full Story
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![New Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick emphasizes school choice as one of his top legislative priorities at a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: March 3, 2015
In a House committee hearing on Monday, one witness sought to redefine the climate change debate as one with clear implications to national security. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Jinjian Liang -
GOP Leaders Say They Won't Expand Medicaid
Leading Texas Republicans on Monday asked the Obama administration for greater flexibility to administer Medicaid — a move that has gotten little traction in the past — while reiterating that they would not participate in an expansion of the program under the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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The Brief: March 2, 2015
The Tribune's Jay Root and Neena Satija filed a story over the weekend on the problem of deferred maintenance at state government buildings in multiple agencies. It makes for some grim reading. Full Story
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![The Texas School for the Deaf in Austin.]()
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This Time, Lawmakers Want Property Tax Cut That Folks Notice
The last time lawmakers cut property taxes, it barely registered with most voters because appraisal increases and local tax hikes overwhelmed the savings. This year's cut will be smaller, but Republican leaders hope people will feel richer for it. Full Story
![State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a budget press conference on Jan. 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: Feb. 25, 2015
Texans in this month's University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll made clear that the property tax is their least favorite. The only other tax to be disliked by voters more than it is liked is the business margins tax. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Senate Leaders Propose $4.6 Billion in Tax Breaks
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced a slate of bills he says will provide lasting tax relief to businesses and homeowners in Texas — to the tune of $4.6 billion. But there are signs he could face some opposition within his own party. Full Story
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: Feb. 24, 2015
This month's University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll explored registered voters' views on carrying handguns in public, finding a strong plurality of 45 percent supporting the current legal framework of licensed concealed carry. Full Story
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![Activists who support a legislative proposal that would lift the state's handgun licensing requirements stand outside the state Capitol on the opening day of the Texas Legislature on Jan. 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
UT/TT Poll: In Texas, Walker Catches Cruz
Ted Cruz's wide lead over other contenders for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Texas has disappeared; he is now in a virtual tie with the surging Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: Feb. 19, 2015
Senate budget writers on Wednesday lit into Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek, a former senator himself, in a hearing that concluded with another call for him to resign. Full Story
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![Health and Human Services Commission head Kyle Janek (l.) and state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, who called for his resignation on Jan. 15, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: State Leaders Address Immigration Ruling
Here's a video of Wednesday's news conference with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who discussed a judge's decision to halt President Obama's immigration order. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: Feb. 17, 2015
A Brownsville federal judge dropped a late-night legal bombshell Monday night, halting President Obama's executive action on immigration. Full Story
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![Attorney General Greg Abbott indicates his willingness to sue President Obama on immigration during a press conference Nov. 24, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Analysis: Tension Goes Beyond Border Security
After Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced a proposal to extend the National Guard's stay along the Texas-Mexico border, House Speaker Joe Straus said in effect that such power lies with Gov. Greg Abbott. That's not the only issue causing a potential House-Senate divide. Full Story
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![House Speaker Joe Straus is shown on Sept. 20, 2014, during an interview at The Texas Tribune Festival.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: Feb. 16, 2015
Bipartisan appears to be a dirty word in a couple of the special election contests set to be finally decided on Tuesday. Full Story
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![State Reps. José Menéndez (left) and Trey Martinez Fischer, both Democrats from San Antonio, are seeking the Texas Senate seat vacated by Leticia Van de Putte, who is running for mayor of San Antonio.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Playlist: Falling Grace
This week, journalism lost two who were among its best: longtime CBS News correspondent Bob Simon and New York Times media columnist David Carr. This playlist is dedicated to them. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by John Jordan