The latest budget news from The Texas Tribune.
Over four lawsuits, the state is potentially facing billions in legal expenses at a time when stubbornly low oil prices are simultaneously threatening to blunt its coffers. Full Story
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Full video of my 2/25 conversation with state Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, and state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville. Full Story
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The Texas Transportation Commission is expected to approve a $1.3 billion plan Thursday aimed to funding 14 roadway projects designed to relieve gridlock in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Full Story
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State senators expressed bipartisan disapproval Wednesday of an unpopular program that levies large surcharges on drivers for traffic offenses, with several calling for broad changes or scrapping it entirely. Full Story
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Full video of my 1/21 conversation with Glenn Hegar, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Topics discussed: oil prices, taxes, jobs and economic incentives. Full Story
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Some of the most important debates in government and politics are complicated — and boring. That gives the combatants some safety from voters who are preoccupied with battles that are easier to understand. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott was well within his powers when he vetoed more than $200 million in funds approved by the Texas Legislature this year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office wrote in an opinion issued Monday. Full Story
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The state comptroller's original forecast on state revenue for 2016-17 was wrong, but the misestimate was inconsequential — at least in the short term. Full Story
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Here's full video of my conversation Friday with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at The Texas Tribune Festival. Full Story
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Following a legislative session in which lawmakers debated whether to cut property taxes, business taxes, sales taxes or a combination of the three, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signaled an interest Wednesday in continuing the conversation. Full Story
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In his first certified revenue estimate, Comptroller Glenn Hegar lowered his estimate for how much revenue the state will take in by more than $2 billion, pointing to reduced activity in oil and gas drilling as the main culprit. Full Story
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The State Securities Board is questioning whether Gov. Greg Abbott really intended to veto $1.2 million for employee raises from its budget, part of more than $200 million in funds that remain in legal limbo. Full Story
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As Texas prepares to argue a school finance appeal before the state Supreme Court, districts still are grappling with staffing cuts, swelling class sizes and flat test scores exacerbated by the 2011 budget cuts. Full Story
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Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Wednesday he will not authorize more than $200 million in funds approved by the Texas Legislature but vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott as he waits for Attorney General Ken Paxton to settle the issue. Full Story
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In a victory for racetracks and a rebuff to state lawmakers, the Texas Racing Commission on Tuesday declined to outlaw historical racing in the state. Full Story
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The city of Austin filed a lawsuit Monday against the state of Texas charging that the current property appraisal system is unconstitutional and creates “an imbalance in the tax burdens between residential and commercial property owners.” Full Story
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In a lengthy legal memo to the state's comptroller, aides to Gov. Greg Abbott defend his budget vetoes and decry a legislative agency's challenge as a threat to constitutional separation of powers. Full Story
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It's diversion season: Top state officials, not surprisingly, would rather talk about red-meat political issues than indictments and legally contested budget vetoes. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday reiterated his disagreement with a letter questioning the governor's budget vetoes, saying his office did not initiate a letter from a legislative agency on that subject. Full Story
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The governor and the state's legislative leaders are having what looks like an argument over money, but it's really about who's in charge in state government. Full Story
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