Gov. Greg Abbott and his partners in office want to impose limits on the size of local property tax increases, and the governor has added a twist those local governments might like: He has targeted unfunded state mandates.
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
Dan Patrick announces Senate committee assignments, making a few noticeable shifts
Two Democrats and 14 Republicans will chair the upper chamber’s committees.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Dennis Bonnen says he doesn’t support linking standardized tests to school finance, but declines to offer other specifics
The new House speaker discussed school finance in an interview with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith in Lake Jackson.
Watch: A conversation with Dennis Bonnen, speaker of the Texas House
We’re livestreaming our conversation with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen in Lake Jackson.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Property taxes in Texas are high. Don’t expect the Legislature to change that.
Texas leaders are promising property tax relief during this year’s legislative session. It’s unlikely that will lower your taxes, but it might slow future increases.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House, Senate budget plans tens of millions apart on prisoner health care
The Texas House wants to give the state prison system $160 million more to help care for inmates. The Senate wants to cut funding.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Will Texas’ attempt to shake up school finance lead to higher stakes for standardized tests?
The idea of tying a portion of funding to test scores appeals to some who want to improve student performance, but it enrages educators who say it will encourage teaching to the test.
Watch: A conversation with four new members of the Texas Senate
Meet the 86th: Watch our interview with new state Sens. Carol Alvarado, Pete Flores, Nathan Johnson and Beverly Powell, moderated by Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith.
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Texas Legislature 2019
How will the Texas Legislature address school shootings? Likely not with gun control.
State leaders have promised to tackle school safety this session, and lawmakers are expected to push bills that would beef up mental health screening programs and make it easier to arm teachers.
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Texas Legislature 2019
As presumptive House speaker, Dennis Bonnen raised $4 million in a month
In July, Bonnen was a House member with $707,000 in his war chest. After he announced for House Speaker and became the favorite to succeed Joe Straus, he was getting more than $150,000 in donations per day.