An attempt to raise the sales tax to pay for state leaders’ ambitious goals failed, raising questions about long-term effects of the property tax limitations in the school finance bill.
budget
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Graphics and data reporting
From property taxes to teacher pay, here’s how the Texas Legislature handled spending priorities
Take a look at how Texas lawmakers reconciled major differences in their proposed two-year budgets, including funding for public schools, teacher salaries, women’s health, prison guard salaries and more.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Do as they say, not as they do
The Texas Legislature did a lot in the 86th regular session, especially if you judge by their spending.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House, Senate approve budget deal with agreements on school finance, property taxes, Hurricane Harvey recovery
Completing negotiations that have taken place over the last few months, Texas House and Senate lawmakers accepted a compromise on a state spending plan for 2020-21.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Behind closed doors, Texas budget writers add $100 million for border surge
The money would come from the state savings account, and Texas officials anticipate getting reimbursed by the federal government.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas high-speed rail plans dodge bullet after lawmakers strike provision aiming to delay the project
Legal battles over whether the developer can use eminent domain still loom over the project.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas tax collectors predict another $500 million for the state budget
The announcement Tuesday from Comptroller Glenn Hegar came amid lawmakers’ closed-door haggling over the two-year budget, which includes funds for public schools and property tax relief.
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State Government
Point of Order: Appraising the House
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Reps. Dade Phelan and Donna Howard about the work done and not done in the lower chamber so far this session — and what’s likely to happen on the last stretch of road to Sine Die.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Legislators have a deadline, and so do Texas schools
Lawmakers are in their last month of a regular session, with their priority issues — public education and property taxes — still incomplete. If they can’t finish without a special session, they’ll run into someone else’s deadlines; school districts write budgets and set tax rates in June.
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Texas Legislature 2019
A Texas sales tax increase would hit poor people the hardest
Top Republican leaders have proposed raising the sales tax and using the money to lower local property tax rates. Wealthier Texans and businesses would likely benefit, while poorer Texans would likely pay more.
