The Senate budget also includes a $6.3 billion boost for public schools, about $4 billion of which would increase teachers’ and librarians’ annual salaries by $5,000.
Texas Legislature 2019
The 86th Legislature runs from Jan. 8 to May 27. From the state budget to health care to education policy — and the politics behind it all — we focus on what Texans need to know about the biennial legislative session.
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Texas Legislature 2019
After high school shooting, Texas campuses could soon have more armed marshals
The Senate on Monday passed a bill that would remove a cap on the number of school personnel that can carry firearms at schools. It is the chamber’s latest tweak to the marshal program since last year’s mass shooting at Santa Fe High School.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas reports on state government efficiency were kept secret. We’re publishing them.
Since 2005, state lawmakers have received the agency’s biennial report detailing inefficiencies in government, but this year the report was not made public.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Here’s how different proposals at the Texas Capitol could change property tax bills
How would lawmakers’ proposals to provide property tax relief affect tax bills? It depends on where you live and what kind of home you own.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Texas Senate flushed with success
In a session where middle-of-the-road issues like school finance and teacher pay dominate the conversation, the Texas Senate has returned to familiar — and conservative — ground.
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Texas Legislature 2019
After gun activist shows up at lawmakers’ houses, Texas representative declares his “constitutional carry” bill dead
“I refuse to act like it is still a possibility and continue to provide false hope to my constituents,” state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, said in a statement.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Legislative resolve isn’t always what you think it is
Texas lawmakers pass resolutions all the time. They can make the folks back home happy and commemorate people, places and things. And resolutions can serve — as one did for Senate Republicans this week — as a form of political advertising.
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Texas Legislature 2019
After 20 years of agitating for property tax reform, can Paul Bettencourt pull it off?
The “Tax Man,” a Republican senator from Houston, has his best chance yet to shake up Texas’ property tax system. But it’s going to be an uphill battle.
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Texas Legislature 2019
With lack of movement on “constitutional carry” bill, gun rights advocate visits homes of House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, other members
Bonnen called the man’s move “gutless,” according to media reports. The Angleton Republican was in Austin when the man visited his home.
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Texas Legislature 2019
“That bill has now been poisoned”: Business groups worry priority sick-leave legislation faces uphill battle
Some business groups who thought they had a slam dunk bill on employment benefits are now worried that LGBTQ opposition they tried to prevent could kill one of their priorities.