A top priority of state leaders, the legislation requires voter approval before local governments increase their property tax revenue by more than 3.5%.
Dan Patrick
Gov. Greg Abbott signs $11.6 billion school finance measure into law
The high-priority bill boosts per-student funding and reduces property taxes across the state.
Analysis: Texas Republicans, squeezed between tariffs and immigration
The president’s threat to impose tariffs unless Mexico stops the flow of migrants into the U.S. has put Texas Republicans in a tough spot โ choosing between their loyalty to Donald Trump and their worries about tariff’s effects on the Texas economy.
Some Texas gun rights groups oppose a state-funded gun storage safety campaign. But not the NRA.
Some gun rights groups want Gov. Greg Abbott to veto a line item in the Texas budget that puts $1 million toward a public safety campaign on gun storage. But one powerful bloc isn’t actively opposing the measure: the National Rifle Association.
After blocking David Whitley’s confirmation, Senate Democrats see bills die on Abbottโs desk
A monthslong push from the governorโs office to confirm his longtime aide as secretary of state heated up in the sessionโs final days. Some Democrats feared retribution for defying the governor.
Through the lens: The 86th Texas Legislature in photos
Take a look back at the 2019 regular legislative session as seen through the lenses of Texas Tribune photographers.
Texas lawmakers are done. Here are this session’s winners and losers.
The 86th legislative session is in the history books. Who’s up and who’s down after the 140-day marathon in Austin?
To pass school finance and property tax bills, Texasโ legislative leaders had to choose cooperation over combativeness
In the past, personalities got in the way of policy at the Texas Capitol. This year, state leaders refused to let that happen.
โIโm still doing penanceโ: How Kel Seliger gets by in the Texas Senate dog house
After opposing leadership โย and mouthing off โย the second-most senior Republican in the Texas Senate is the only senator who was not recognized to bring up a bill for a vote on the floor.
The Texas Republican Party platform supports some marijuana expansions. So why doesnโt Dan Patrick?
Earlier this month, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said a bill that decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana was “dead on arrival” in the Senate. But his party’s platform supports marijuana decriminalization. So what gives?

