The Texas House sent a $250 billion budget over to the Senate with a unanimous vote after a debate that had remarkably few tense moments. With school finance, property taxes and revisions to that budget still ahead, will the comity hold?
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.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
TribCast: The House passes its budget — civilly
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Ayan, Emma, Cassi and Patrick about the House’s big night tackling the next biennial budget, a repeat performance by corporate opponents of last session’s “bathroom bill” and the anti-abortion legislation moving in the Capitol.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Senate aligns with House on how much to spend on education, property tax reform
Both chambers now want to put $9 billion toward public schools and levy reductions. But they disagree about how to spread it out.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House committee advances priority property tax legislation, keeping 2.5 percent election trigger
The vote, called around 1 a.m., was 8-3. The lone Democrat who voted in support of the new measure was state Rep. Ryan Guillen, the vice chair of the committee.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House approves 2020-21 budget plan, with extra $9 billion for school finance, property tax relief
The House also signed off on a $9 billion supplemental budget that would withdraw $4.3 billion from the state savings account.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Border lawmaker makes another push to put eight-liners on local ballots
Rep. Richard Raymond has introduced bills to get rid of the gambling machines for years. This time, he’s trying a different approach.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
The Texas budget is up for debate in the House. Here are four things to know.
House members have proposed more than 300 amendments to the chamber’s spending plan. The proposals that pass could have major implications for hundreds of other issues regulated by the state.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Property tax relief — but not for all Texas taxpayers
Giving every property owner in Texas a significant tax cut is expensive, but there are less ambitious plans under consideration along with the big ones.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Everyone wants a piece of the Texas budget. It’s hard to succeed when most of the money is accounted for.
Disability advocates want the Texas Legislature to invest in pay raises for home care workers. Even in a year of surplus, it’s a difficult battle.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas investigating highly contagious whooping cough at state Capitol
Lawmakers were alerted that a page on the House floor had the infection, triggering discussions about vaccine policies in the state.