The fight over property tax rates is really about state leaders telling local officials how much their revenues can grow before voters get to step in.
Texplainer
Welcome to The Texas Tribune’s “Texplainer” series, where we answer questions from readers like you.
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Guides
Are there restrictions on how U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro can promote his brother for president?
For his 2020 campaign for president, Julián Castro selected his twin brother, a Democratic representative from San Antonio, as his campaign chairman.
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Graphics and data reporting
How do Texas governments calculate your property taxes? Here’s a primer.
Several government entities — from appraisal districts to city councils — play independent roles that collectively determine how much money Texas landowners owe local governments each year.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas’ school finance system is unpopular and complex. Here’s how it works.
Average Texans and lawmakers alike are going back to the basics on school finance, as the state Legislature prepares to tackle a longstanding challenge.
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Guides
Texans fighting citizenship question on 2020 census are headed to court. Here’s what you need to know.
A group of Texans is headed to court in hopes of blocking the Trump administration from including a citizenship question on the 2020 census. Here’s a primer on the legal fight and what it could mean for the state.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Why do the Texas House and Senate adjourn so early in the day at the beginning of the legislative session?
For the few months of each new 140-day legislative session, the respective chambers typically adjourn after meeting for less than an hour. There are several reasons lawmakers can’t get off to a faster start.
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Guides
Can the Texas Legislature override local ordinances?
It can and it has. Last year, Texas lawmakers voted to override several local ordinances with new statewide measures — including relaxing regulations for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.
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Guides
How does the government use eminent domain to seize land from Texans?
And should Texans expect to give up more of their property to the government as border wall and high-speed train projects move forward?
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Guides
Does Texas still have straight-ticket voting?
Most states have ended straight-ticket, or “one-punch,” voting, but Texas kept it going — as long as it helped the majority party. The state is getting rid of it starting in 2020.
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Guides
Why is college in Texas getting so expensive?
Tuition and fees at Texas universities have more than doubled since 2003. There’s plenty of blame to go around.