Leading Texas Republicans on Monday asked the Obama administration for greater flexibility to administer Medicaid — a move that has gotten little traction in the past — while reiterating that they would not participate in an expansion of the program under the Affordable Care Act.
Dan Patrick
Posted in
Health care
The Brief: March 2, 2015
The Tribune’s Jay Root and Neena Satija filed a story over the weekend on the problem of deferred maintenance at state government buildings in multiple agencies. It makes for some grim reading.
Posted inState Government
This Time, Lawmakers Want Property Tax Cut That Folks Notice
The last time lawmakers cut property taxes, it barely registered with most voters because appraisal increases and local tax hikes overwhelmed the savings. This year’s cut will be smaller, but Republican leaders hope people will feel richer for it.
Posted in
Energy
The Brief: Feb. 25, 2015
Texans in this month’s University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll made clear that the property tax is their least favorite. The only other tax to be disliked by voters more than it is liked is the business margins tax.
Posted in
Politics
Senate Leaders Propose $4.6 Billion in Tax Breaks
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced a slate of bills he says will provide lasting tax relief to businesses and homeowners in Texas — to the tune of $4.6 billion. But there are signs he could face some opposition within his own party.
Posted in
Energy
The Brief: Feb. 24, 2015
This month’s University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll explored registered voters’ views on carrying handguns in public, finding a strong plurality of 45 percent supporting the current legal framework of licensed concealed carry.
Posted in
University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
UT/TT Poll: In Texas, Walker Catches Cruz
Ted Cruz’s wide lead over other contenders for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Texas has disappeared; he is now in a virtual tie with the surging Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
Posted in
Energy
The Brief: Feb. 19, 2015
Senate budget writers on Wednesday lit into Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek, a former senator himself, in a hearing that concluded with another call for him to resign.
Posted in
Demographics
Video: State Leaders Address Immigration Ruling
Here’s a video of Wednesday’s news conference with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who discussed a judge’s decision to halt President Obama’s immigration order.
Posted in
Higher Education
The Brief: Feb. 17, 2015
A Brownsville federal judge dropped a late-night legal bombshell Monday night, halting President Obama’s executive action on immigration.
