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85th Legislative Session
Posted in
Public Education
Analysis: Today’s hated business tax is tomorrow’s property tax relief
Some Texas lawmakers want to kill the franchise tax that so many businesses hate. So far, so good. But it might leave a hole in the state’s pocket when it inevitably comes time to rebalance the state’s financing for public schools.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas teachers have mixed opinions on bid to reduce state tests
The House Public Education Committee heard a bill that would pare back the number of required standardized tests, in line with the wave of legislation limiting high-stakes testing in public schools.
Posted in
Energy
Feral hog poison in Texas on hold — for now
The company behind the only EPA-approved pesticide for feral hogs has withdrawn its request for registration in Texas. But that doesn’t mean the battle over the warfarin-based poison’s safety is finished.
Posted in
State Government
House tentatively backs measure allowing lottery winners to remain anonymous
The lower chamber tentatively approved a measure that would let lottery winners of $1 million or more remain anonymous.
Posted in
Economy
Uber and Lyft call “sex” amendment disappointing, unnecessary
Representatives for Uber and Lyft say an amendment to a statewide ride-hailing bill that defines “sex” as “the physical condition of being male or female” is disappointing and unnecessary.
Posted in
Politics
“Bathroom bill” hearing went past this 7-year-old’s bedtime. Here’s what she wanted to say.
Listen to what a 7-year-old transgender girl had planned to say last week during a Texas House State Affairs Committee hearing on a bill that would regulate bathroom use for transgender Texans.
Posted in
Politics
Tea Party leaders push back on GOP over fast-tracked “Buffett Bill”
Conservative activists are pushing back against the so-called “Buffett Bill,” which would let billionaire Warren Buffett hang onto his car dealerships in Texas but keep the market closed to Tesla and other manufacturers.
Posted in
State Government
Controversial insurance bill moving in Legislature
Texas property owners could face new hurdles when they try to sue their insurer over storm claims under controversial legislation being cheered by groups seeking curbs on lawsuits but jeered by consumer advocates and some businesses.
Posted in
State Government
State’s top lawyer sides with Texas Senate in budget dispute
Attorney General Ken Paxton sided with the Texas Senate Friday in a dispute among legislative budget-writers over a $2.5 billion accounting trick using state transportation funds.
