As lawmakers debate costly investments in property tax reduction and public schools, they’re eyeing the state savings account for a sizable withdrawal.
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
Point of Order: Everybody hates property taxes
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks with state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, the chairman of the Senate Property Tax Committee, about off-the-charts appraisals and off-the-leash local officials — and whether his reform plan has the votes to pass.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Secretary of State David Whitley defends releasing flawed data about voter citizenship review
At his confirmation hearing, Whitley faced tough questioning from Democrats over his decision to erroneously question the citizenship status of tens of thousands of voters.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
“This is very personal to us”: Santa Fe survivors are expecting results from the Texas Legislature
After last year’s massacre at Santa Fe High School, survivors told lawmakers the school safety measures they want to see enacted during this year’s legislative session. How many of them will become law?
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Watch Texas Secretary of State David Whitley’s confirmation hearing
The secretary of state’s office has faced criticism for its handling of efforts to review the citizenship of 95,000 registered voters. Now, Secretary of State David Whitley — a Gov. Greg Abbott appointee — faces a confirmation hearing.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Needing Democratic support, Texas’ secretary of state faces a rocky path to confirmation
Republican David Whitley faces questions from Democrats about how he handled an attempt to review the citizenship of 95,000 registered Texas voters.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht calls for nonpartisan judicial elections, bail reform
In the wake of a midterm election that saw four major state appeals courts flip on partisan lines, Hecht called on lawmakers to consider changing Texas to a system of merit selection and retention elections.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: A State of the State address that’s short on surprises, long on collaboration
What Texas Gov. Greg Abbott didn’t say in Tuesday’s State of the State speech was important. School finance and property taxes were the big issues before the speech — and Abbott didn’t stray from those subjects.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Gov. Greg Abbott names school finance, property tax reform emergency items
The governor focused on bread-and-butter policy in a forum that has often featured a lot of red meat.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Courts have called Texas bail practices unconstitutional. Will that push this year’s reform efforts to success?
Two years after a bail reform bill died in the Legislature, new bail legislation has other factors working in its favor.