budget

Texas Tribune Weekly Rundown

By Justin Dehn and Thanh Tan March 11, 2011

The Texas Tribune's rundown of capitol politics for the week of March 7-11, 2011. Full Story
After Bolstering Red Tide, Tea Party Still Making Waves

By Ben Philpott, KUT News March 11, 2011

Atter making their presence known during election season, the various Tea Party groups in Texas continue to steer the political agenda. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Lights Out for Seniors, Poor

By Justin Dehn March 10, 2011

State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, is concerned about budget cuts to a program that discounts utility bills for the elderly and those with low incomes. Full Story
TribLive: Straus on the Rainy Day Fund

By Evan Smith March 10, 2011

At today's TribLive conversation, Speaker Joe Straus stopped short of supporting the tapping of the Rainy Day Fund to cover the current biennium's $4.3 billion deficit, but he left the door open. Full Story
New Day Rising: Four House Members on the 82nd Session

By Evan Smith March 9, 2011

At the Tribune's New Day Rising symposium on Feb. 28, four members of the Texas House talked about the issues affecting the Hispanic community — and all Texans — during the 82nd Legislative Session. Full Story
What $9.8 Billion in Public School Cuts Looks Like

By Ben Philpott, KUT News March 9, 2011

School districts won't know exactly what nearly $10 billion in state cuts means to them until lawmakers pass a new school finance bill. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune takes a look at the first bill of the session that gives districts an idea of what to expect. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
What $9.8 Billion in Public School Cuts Looks Like

By Ben Philpott, KUT News March 9, 2011

School districts won't know exactly what nearly $10 billion in state cuts means to them until lawmakers pass a new school finance bill. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune takes a look at the first bill of the session that gives districts an idea of what to expect. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
House Democrats Advertise Against the Budget

By Ross Ramsey March 7, 2011

Texas Democrats are advertising their displeasure with the budgets being proposed by Gov. Rick Perry and House and Senate leaders. Literally. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Democrats Attack GOP Budget Plans on Radio

By Ross Ramsey March 7, 2011

The Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee's radio ads attacking budget plans in the Republican-dominated Legislature. Full Story
Supporters Plead for Historical Commission Funds

By Christopher Smith Gonzalez March 7, 2011

Texas history supporters came out in force today to tell the Senate Finance Committee why the Texas Historical Commission should be saved from a 77 percent budget cut. Full Story
State Would Require Jails to Pay for Inspections

By Brandi Grissom March 7, 2011

To keep critical jail inspections going even as they cut funding to the agency that provides them, lawmakers are proposing that the counties pay for them. Full Story

Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller
House Fights on Familiar Ground: The Rules

By Ross Ramsey March 7, 2011

In the House, what starts with substance — abortion sonogram legislation, in this case — often ends with procedure. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
The Week in Texas Politics Recap: Feb. 28 to March 4

By Reeve Hamilton and Justin Dehn March 4, 2011

No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our weekly recaps of the action under the dome. Full Story
When Is a Tax Not a Tax?

By Ross Ramsey March 4, 2011

Many Texas lawmakers have forsworn taxes, but they also promised to educate kids, to build roads, to care for the needy and to do what government is expected to do. It’s the adult version of those mathematical story problems that made sixth grade so much fun. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Bill Would Allow Advertising at State Parks

By Erika Aguilar, KUT News March 3, 2011

With the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department facing budget cuts and park closures, Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports that lawmakers are looking at an unconventional solution — advertising in parks — to help pay for maintenance and promote tourism. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
In Ranger, Fears of Town Waning With College's Closure

By Nathan Bernier, KUT News, and Paulo Martins, The Texas Tribune March 3, 2011

News that the state could shutter four community colleges has rattled the rural town of Ranger, whose community college faces closure. Nathan Bernier and Paulo Martins of KUT News look at what the closure could mean for the college — and the town for which it has become something of a lifeline. Full Story
Another Senator, Another Proposed Tax

By Justin Dehn and Thanh Tan March 2, 2011

On Monday, state Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, said he would rather raise taxes than make the cuts under consideration. Now, state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, has introduced legislation to increase the tax on soft drinks by a penny per ounce. Full Story
Small, Large Businesses Split on Budget Fixes

By Erika Aguilar, KUT News March 2, 2011

Approaches to budget cutting have divided lawmakers and their constituents, but as Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports, tension is brewing between two other worried groups: small and large businesses. Full Story
Deuell Eyes Rainy Day Fund

By Justin Dehn March 1, 2011

Austin, TX. March 1, 2011 State Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, would rather raise taxes a little bit than make the cuts lawmakers are considering now. Full Story
Deuell: Make Cuts, but Raise Taxes Too

By Ross Ramsey March 1, 2011

State Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, would rather raise taxes a little bit than make the cuts lawmakers are considering now, he told the Tribune this evening. Full Story