The latest Jane Nelson news from The Texas Tribune.
By reclassifying oil wells as gas wells, producers can often claim a generous state tax credit targeting “high cost” natural gas. Now, some lawmakers say the policy deserves a fresh look. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/12/OilSunset.jpg)
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick revealed Friday he tried to draft state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, to run for lieutenant governor last year before he decided to enter the race. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/11/06/Nelson_FlatteringTT.jpg)
Texas has long been one of a number of states that does not require the disclosure of real estate sales prices. Yet a recent lawsuit and a proposition on the November ballot could pave the way for change, sales price disclosure proponents say. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/PropertyTax-DollarSigns.jpg)
Unless lawmakers come up with a deal soon to keep it funded, the Texas Racing Commission is prepared to close down tomorrow. That means all Texas racetracks will be forced to close as well. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/27/UP9A9464.JPG)
Lawmakers approved giving $200,000 to a community college that doesn't want it to fund a maritime museum that doesn't exist, and now the Legislative Budget Board may scuttle Gov. Greg Abbott's bid to reclaim the loot. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/08/03/LaSallesExpeditiontoLouisiana.jpg)
At our 6/18 conversation, Erica Grieder and R.G. Ratcliffe of Texas Monthly explained why they named state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, one of the 84th session's ten worst legislators. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/UP9A8405.jpg)
Full video of our 6/18 conversation with Erica Grieder and R.G. Ratcliffe, the lead authors of Texas Monthly's biennial list of the best and worst legislators. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/UP9A8411.jpg)
At the Texas Department of Transportation, employees have expressed concern about the impact of a bill aimed at reducing conflicts of interests in state contracting. Gov. Greg Abbott signaled Tuesday that he intends to sign the bill. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/DSC_0419.jpg)
Lawmakers sent a bill aimed at beefing up contracting oversight to Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday, while another died but will still largely be implemented through a budget rider. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/20/OttoNelson1CMS.jpg)
The $209.4 billion budget sent to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk includes hundreds of concessions made by the House and Senate. Yet on most of the high-profile disputes, the Senate won out. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/29/NelsonOttoSplit.jpg)
Texas lawmakers in both chambers on Friday overwhelmingly approved a $209.4 billion two-year budget, a 3.6 percent increase over the current one. It now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/29/7C2A6469.jpg)
Budget writers have added some last-minute cash for the Alamo, in large part to ensure the state holds on to a collection of Alamo artifacts from British music legend Phil Collins. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/24/TGLO-ManShowsThing.jpg)
The Texas Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to pass a $564.6 million bill that plugs holes in the current budget and shores up the health care plan for retired teachers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/20/OttoNelson2CMS.jpg)
In a 136-1 vote, the House favored Senate Bill 1, which would raise the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000 if voters approve an amendment to the state Constitution in November. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/13/IMG_9993.jpg)
Top House and Senate negotiators sealed up the final unresolved issues on a two-year budget deal on Thursday evening, including removing controversial language that would have killed a proposed Dallas-Houston bullet train. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/28/HouseSenateBudget-Heads.jpg)
The House and Senate stepped closer to a final deal on a two-year budget Wednesday evening, settling dozens of differences between the two chambers including funding for public education and border security. Full Story
House and Senate leaders are in the midst of intense negotiations over a budget rider that could kill a proposed $12 billion bullet train project connecting Dallas and Houston. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/HighSpeedTrain-Bullet-Todd.jpg)
With two weeks left in the legislative session, here are a couple of takes on the state of play on taxes and the budget, the only piece of legislation that must be passed. Full Story
Amid a series of scandals, most lawmakers say they want to reform the way Texas hands out billions in state contracts. Discussion has narrowed to a handful of bills that some warn are merely first steps. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/13/Nelson_and_Otto_Contract_High.jpg)
The House's tax writing committee on Tuesday took up the Senate's proposal to cut property taxes by raising homeowners' residential homestead exemption. But what transpired on Tuesday was far from a kumbaya moment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/28/_BDB2017CMS_Bonnen_claps.jpg)