We’re liveblogging this weekend from The Texas Tribune Festival’s Transportation track, which features panel discussions on planning, high-speed rail, road funding and rural transportation.
Robert Nichols
Posted in
Economy
Transportation Funding on Track to Becoming Major Issue in 2015
While abortion legislation is drawing all the attention in this second special session, lawmakers are also trying for the third time this year to find some extra money for the Texas Department of Transportation.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Transportation, Criminal Justice Bills Headed to Full Senate
The Senate could vote as early as next week on transportation funding and criminal justice measures that died in the first special session. Those measures were quickly approved Tuesday by two Senate committees.
Posted in
Transportation
Senate Takes Step Toward Transportation Funding Solution
Senators on Tuesday tentatively approved a resolution that aims to solve the state’s transportation funding woes by diverting future revenue from the Rainy Day Fund.
Posted in
Transportation
House and Senate Hoping to Quickly Find Money for Roads
With transportation funding added to the special session call, lawmakers are already planning hearings and considering different proposals. The Senate Finance Committee has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday.
Posted in
Economy
Senators Hope to Revive Plan to Fund Roads
A plan to fund Texas highway construction by diverting half of the money that currently feeds the state’s Rainy Day Fund could find new life in a special session.
Posted in
State Government
“Merry Christmas Bill” Heads to Governor
The Senate passed a House bill that would allow teachers and other public school staff to use holiday greetings like “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Hanukkah” and to display Christmas trees, menorahs and other cultural icons of winter celebrations.
Posted in
Transportation
Agenda Texas: The Politics of Transportation Funding
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Lawmakers want to spend billions to repair the state’s crumbling roads, but that’s putting some Republican leaders in a bind.
Posted in
Economy
Roadblocks Emerge for Transportation Funding
With less than two months left in the legislative session, some lawmakers are lowering expectations on what can get done related to funding for roads.
Posted in
Transportation
TribLive: A Conversation About Transportation
Full video of Aman Batheja’s 4/4 TribLive conversation with state Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman.