Rumors of a special session are a normal feature in the last days of a regular session. There’s no emergency that would force a special session, but don’t discount the Texas Legislature’s ability to force one by failing to finish its work.
budget
Posted in
Higher Education
Proposed higher education funding overhaul could come with collateral damage
Initiatives to boost small businesses and help poor students get through college could lose their funding amid the Senate’s attempt to fix how the state pays for higher education.
Posted in
Energy
House panel debates state parks funding
A measure that would’ve guaranteed a set amount of funding to state parks was upturned in 2015. Lawmakers and advocates are hoping similar legislation will stick this session.
Posted in
Health care
What you need to know now about the one bill Texas lawmakers must pass (video)
In less than two minutes, learn the ins and outs of the only bill that Texas lawmakers have to pass — the one that will determine how the state government is funded for the next two years.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: How current Texas lawmakers can boss future lawmakers around
Texas legislators cannot bind future legislators by preventing them or forcing them to do something. But they can certainly make their future decisions uncomfortable.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: A high-stakes budget duel — if Texas lawmakers want one
The Senate doesn’t like the House’s hit on the Rainy Day Fund. The House doesn’t like the Senate’s delay of a deposit into the state’s highway fund. Neither wants to raise taxes. But all is not yet lost — unless they want to fight about it.
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.
Posted in
State Government
Senate budget “unambiguously” unconstitutional, House leadership says
In a letter sent Tuesday, an attorney for two House leaders urges Attorney General Ken Paxton to side against a $2.5 billion accounting trick proposed in the Texas Senate’s version of the state budget.
Posted inState Government
How do the Texas House and Senate budgets compare?
Both chambers have passed state budgets that spend around $218 billion but significant differences remain. With just a few weeks to go before the end of the session, here’s a look at the key sticking points.
Posted in
State Government
Will Abbott wield sharper veto pen in budget talks?
With some of his priorities on the chopping block this session, Gov. Greg Abbott may be eyeing his recently expanded veto authority in order to get his way.
