Texas House and Senate leaders unveiled dueling budget proposals this week that are billions of dollars apart.
budget
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawmakers likely to wage in-state tuition policy fight again this year
Will Texas legislators repeal in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants? One Republican lawmaker is determined to make it happen.
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Higher Education
Analysis: Legislators start with a $5.3 billion difference of opinion
In their first-day numbers, the Texas Legislature’s two chambers didn’t even agree on the size of the current budget. The House baked in some supplemental expenses that the Senate left that out.
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Criminal Justice
In dueling budget proposals, Texas House and Senate billions apart
Texas House and Senate leaders are starting out the legislative session nearly $8 billion apart according in dueling budget proposals released Tuesday. Among the sticking points: spending on public education and border security.
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Public Education
Analysis: Texas budget writers treasure that school tax you hate
In the midst of all the gloomy state budget news, this stuck out like a gold nugget in a cow patty: Rising property values in the state’s school districts translate into higher local tax revenue, cutting the state’s obligation to education.
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Criminal Justice
Lawmakers draw battle lines on border security, sanctuary cities
On the same day that Texas House Republicans doubled down on border security efforts and announced plans to send an invoice to the federal government, Senate Democrats said they were committed to fighting bills to eliminate sanctuary cities.
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State Government
Hegar gives lawmakers dour revenue estimate for 2017 session
Facing sluggish economic forecasts, Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Monday that lawmakers will have $104.87 billion in state funds at their disposal in crafting the next two-year budget, a 2.7 percent decrease from the last session two years ago.
Posted inState Government
Texas loses tax lawsuit, but not the way officials feared
The state of Texas lost a lawsuit over business franchise taxes on Friday, but lost the way officials had hoped — without a significant change in an arcane accounting definition that could have cost billions.
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State Government
Analysis: Expect some clouds in Monday’s Texas budget forecast
The Legislature goes to Austin on Tuesday, but lawmakers will find out a day before that what kind of budget they’re going to write. Spoiler alert: Money is tight.
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Criminal Justice
Appeals court panel taking up provision in Texas border security law
On Wednesday the U.S. Fifth Circuit of Appeals will hear arguments over whether an immigrant harboring provision lawmakers passed nearly two years ago should be implemented.
