Economy

President Donald Trump backed down from his threat on Thursday to close the southern border immediately, telling reporters at the White House that he is giving Mexico a one-year warning before taking action.

Full Story 

Across the country, experts and interest groups opposed to a border shutdown are weighing in about how a closure could affect people on both sides of the border.

Full Story 

The House also signed off on a $9 billion supplemental budget that would withdraw $4.3 billion from the state savings account.

Full Story 

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 

Ask Texans what problems they're most worried about for the U.S. and for the state, and their eyes turn to the border between Texas and Mexico, the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll found.

Full Story 

State Rep. Dustin Burrows, author of the House bill, said the House Ways and Means Committee is "not just trying to get something across the finish line as quick as we can."

Full Story 

At noon Thursday, we're livestreaming our conversation in Austin with John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, moderated by Evan Smith.

Full Story 

State lawmakers are trying to reform a complicated taxing system where everything from suburban growth to gentrification and a homeowner’s age influence how much Texans pay their local governments.

Full Story 

The fight over property tax rates is really about state leaders telling local officials how much their revenues can grow before voters get to step in.

Full Story 

Several government entities — from appraisal districts to city councils — play independent roles that collectively determine how much money Texas landowners owe local governments each year.

Full Story 

The governor has laid out his legislative priorities. In our latest "Under the Dome" episode, we look at the challenges lawmakers face in addressing the issues of property taxes and school finance.

Full Story 

A new proposal to cut school property taxes in Texas perfectly outlines the political problem facing lawmakers: It's terribly expensive, and other taxes have to be raised to pay for it.

Full Story 

The two beer industry groups struck a deal this week that could end a years-long political fight.

Full Story 

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.

Full Story 

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.

Full Story 

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 

The governor focused on bread-and-butter policy in a forum that has often featured a lot of red meat.

Full Story 

The state has been waiting a year for the federal government to set rules for how $4.3 billion in disaster recovery grants can be spent.

Full Story 

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.

Full Story 

A bill authored by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would make it a felony to threaten a romantic partner into taking on debt or financing expensive items like cars.

Full Story