Analysis: Do as they say, not as they do
The Texas Legislature did a lot in the 86th regular session, especially if you judge by their spending. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, and State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, during a budget conference at the Capitol on…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas House, Senate approve budget deal with agreements on school finance, property taxes, Hurricane Harvey recovery
Completing negotiations that have taken place over the last few months, Texas House and Senate lawmakers accepted a compromise on a state spending plan for 2020-21. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, and state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, during a budget conference at the Capitol on…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Behind closed doors, budget writers add $100 million for border surge
The money would come from the state savings account, and Texas officials anticipate getting reimbursed by the federal government. Full Story
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![A section of border fence in Hidalgo, which runs between a national wildlife refuge and a local nature center, ends abruptly…]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Texas high-speed rail plans dodge bullet after lawmakers strike provision aiming to delay the project
Legal battles over whether the developer can use eminent domain still loom over the project. Full Story
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![The Japanese Shinkansen is a high-speed train used by JR Central in Japan. A private company is planning to build a rail lin…]()
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Texas tax collectors predict another $500 million for the state budget
The announcement Tuesday from Comptroller Glenn Hegar came amid lawmakers' closed-door haggling over the two-year budget, which includes funds for public schools and property tax relief. Full Story
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![Comptroller Glenn Hegar discusses the Biennial Revenue Estimate for the 2020-21 biennium at the state Capitol on Jan. 7, 201…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Point of Order: Appraising the House
In the latest episode of our podcast about the 86th Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Reps. Dade Phelan and Donna Howard about the work done and not done in the lower chamber so far this session — and what’s likely to happen on the last stretch of road to Sine Die. Full Story
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Analysis: Legislators have a deadline, and so do Texas schools
Lawmakers are in their last month of a regular session, with their priority issues — public education and property taxes — still incomplete. If they can't finish without a special session, they'll run into someone else's deadlines; school districts write budgets and set tax rates in June. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott with House members on the House Floor on April 30, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
A Texas sales tax increase would hit poor people the hardest
Top Republican leaders have proposed raising the sales tax and using the money to lower local property tax rates. Wealthier Texans and businesses would likely benefit, while poorer Texans would likely pay more. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses state officials at the State of the State address in the House Chambers at the State Capitol on F…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate passes two-year budget with money for property tax cuts — but no plan for how to spend it
The Senate budget also includes a $6.3 billion boost for public schools, about $4 billion of which would increase teachers’ and librarians’ annual salaries by $5,000. Full Story
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![State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound on the Senate floor on April 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Texas reports on state government efficiency were kept secret. We're publishing them.
Since 2005, state lawmakers have received the agency's biennial report detailing inefficiencies in government, but this year the report was not made public. Full Story
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![Left to right: Outgoing House Speaker Joe Straus, presumptive House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a Legi…]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Meet the advocates lobbying Texas lawmakers for more money and support this session
During the Texas legislative session, the Capitol sees a rush of advocates. Our latest "Under the Dome" episode features two people lobbying on issues they are all too familiar with. Full Story
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Credit: Richard Loria / The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Are Texas lawmakers done with drama or just saving it up for later?
The Texas House sent a $250 billion budget over to the Senate with a unanimous vote after a debate that had remarkably few tense moments. With school finance, property taxes and revisions to that budget still ahead, will the comity hold? Full Story
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![House Speaker Dennis Bonnen speaks to representatives from the dias. March 27, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The House passes its budget — civilly
On this week’s TribCast, Emily talks to Ayan, Emma, Cassi and Patrick about the House’s big night tackling the next biennial budget, a repeat performance by corporate opponents of last session’s "bathroom bill" and the anti-abortion legislation moving in the Capitol. Full Story
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![The debate on HB-1, the House state budget bill, continues into its 12th hour as members gather to confer with the House Par…]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Texas budget is up for debate in the House. Here are four things to know.
House members have proposed more than 300 amendments to the chamber's spending plan. The proposals that pass could have major implications for hundreds of other issues regulated by the state. Full Story
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![A view of the house floor during the second day of the 86th legislative session. Jan. 9, 2019.]()
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Everyone wants a piece of the Texas budget. It's hard to succeed when most of the money is accounted for.
Disability advocates want the Texas Legislature to invest in pay raises for home care workers. Even in a year of surplus, it's a difficult battle. Full Story
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![Susie Angel on the back patio of her home with her attendant Sandy White in Austin on Jan. 30, 2019.]()
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Texas House committee backs $115 billion budget plan for 2020-21
After passing through the House Appropriations Committee, House Bill 1 now goes to the full Texas House. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, and State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, discuss the budget at a Texas Tribune event on…]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas A&M asks lawmakers for $55 million in "equity" funds, citing UT's budget
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. Full Story
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![The Aggieland water tower in College Station on March 26, 2018.]()
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Texas’ savings account is poised to hit $15 billion. How much will lawmakers spend?
As lawmakers debate costly investments in property tax reduction and public schools, they're eyeing the state savings account for a sizable withdrawal. Full Story
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Texas House, Senate budget plans tens of millions apart on prisoner health care
The Texas House wants to give the state prison system $160 million more to help care for inmates. The Senate wants to cut funding. Full Story
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![Inmates shuffle down a hallway at Brazoria County's Darrington prison in July 2017.]()
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Texas House and Senate about $3 billion apart on public education spending
Two rival budget proposals offer a starting point for debate between the two chambers on public school funding and property tax relief. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, visits with Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, on the Senate floor on May 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune