The gap between Texas A&M’s and UT-Austin’s per-student funding has increased over the last five years, due in part to growing enrollment at the College Station campus.
Paul Bettencourt
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Days after heated meeting, Texas Senate property tax committee passes 2.5-percent rollback rate bill
The Senate panel’s vote came despite fierce pushback from city and county leaders, who say a lower election threshold on increased property tax revenues could hamstring their budgets.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: The challenge of reining in property taxes at no cost to schools
A Texas Senate committee is moving rapidly to require voter approval for local property tax increases over 2.5 percent. But some want to see the Legislature’s school finance bill before they vote on property taxes.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Point of Order: Everybody hates property taxes
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks with state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, the chairman of the Senate Property Tax Committee, about off-the-charts appraisals and off-the-leash local officials — and whether his reform plan has the votes to pass.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Something’s missing from the opening bid for property tax “relief” in Texas
The property tax legislation unveiled by state leaders this week carries an implicit promise — that local school districts will get more state money — but doesn’t say where that money might come from.
Posted in
Demographics
Analysis: Tax breaks and big red fire trucks
Rising property taxes are a legitimate political issue, driven by what elected officials and aspiring officeholders hear from their angry constituents. Local governments are on the other side of this, however, hearing from those same voters about deficiencies in schools and roads, crime protection and whatnot.
Posted inState Government
Kevin Eltife joined the UT System as an outspoken critic. Now he might reshape it.
As the search for a new chancellor gets underway, Kevin Eltife – a University of Texas regent and former state senator – is heading a task force that could broadly reshape what the UT System looks like.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas lawmaker questions education group’s tactics for getting out the vote
A state lawmaker is seeking a legal opinion on whether an educator group is encouraging improper use of public funds to get out the vote. Teachers say they are modeling civic engagement for their students within legal limits, and the letter is motivated by a backlash against public education.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
City, state officials spar over funding Harvey recovery efforts at Houston meeting
While several Texas officials have thrown support behind some expensive flood control projects, a Houston City Council meeting Monday highlighted the political and financial hurdles that may await such efforts.
Posted in
State Government
Power Trips: Who should regulate property tax rates? Give us your take.
The Texas Tribune wants to know more about how rising property tax rates are affecting people across Texas — and who should have the final say.
