El Paso City Council votes down city ID program
El Paso Mayor Dee Margo said he didn't want the city to be labeled a "sanctuary" jurisdiction after casting the deciding vote against funding a municipal ID card Monday. Full Story
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![The Rio Grande between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
In Texas House, property tax proposals range from minor tweaks to abolishment
After a proposal to give a property tax exemption to Purple Heart recipients hit a snag on the House floor Monday, a committee considered a more radical idea: eliminating school district property taxes altogether. Full Story
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![State Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, speaks with his House colleagues Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston and Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, at a Texas Tribune events at the Austin Club on July 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway staking legacy on passing politically tricky farm bill
As he escorted fellow congressmen across West Texas this week, U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway was laying the groundwork for passing a massive piece of legislation next year that thousands of farmers in his district are counting on. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Midland, speaks with U.S. Reps. David Rouzer and Roger Marshall and farmers at a cotton farm outside San Angelo, Texas, on July 31, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune -
Workers' rights group seeks to highlight the other side of NAFTA
On Tuesday, a Central Texas-based advocacy group will celebrate the first day of the special session by highlighting the workers and migrants that have paid a heavy price since the trade agreement was signed in the 1990s. Full Story
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![Employees at Ana Vale Produce sort tomatoes for shipment. The produce comes from the Comarca Lagunera region of Mexico.]()
Credit: Reynaldo Leal -
Warren Buffett unveils deal to buy big piece of Texas electric grid
Warren Buffet is making a play for Texas’ largest electric transmission utility. Berkshire Hathaway, his multinational conglomerate, has unveiled a deal to buy Oncor. Full Story
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![Warren Buffett in 2010.]()
Credit: White House -
UT/TT Poll: Immigration, border security still top concerns for Texas voters
Immigration and border security remain atop Texas voters' list of most important issues facing the state, crowding out jobs, the economy and other issues, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Despite "Texas miracle," affordable housing difficult for many urban dwellers
A new Harvard study found that Americans — especially poorer ones — are having a harder time find a suitable place to call home. Texas lawmakers, experts and development industry leaders say there are plenty of reasons why that's true here, too. Full Story
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![A home in West Dallas sits just a few blocks from where new developments are being built. The new construction is driving up the cost and property taxes of nearby homes. A new report from Harvard University says Americans in cities across the U.S. are having a harder time finding affordable places to rent or buy.]()
Credit: Brandon Formby -
Texas business groups are banding together to keep NAFTA strong
A number of Texas-based business groups have teamed up to prevent a reversal of the good trade relations with Mexico that Texas has enjoyed since the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect 23 years ago. Full Story
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![From January to April of 2017, more than $178 billion in two-way trade has passed through ports in the United States and Mexico, according to a Florida-based think tank.]()
Credit: Reynaldo Leal -
Texas taps private vendor to manage first state-run gold depository in U.S.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Wednesday that his office had picked an Austin-based company to build and operate the first state-administered gold depository in the country and that it could open as early as January. Full Story
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![Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announces his office has picked a private vendor to run the Texas Bullion Depository, which will be designed to store gold for both the state and private citizens, at the Capitol on June 14, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. House passes sweeping financial deregulation bill from Jeb Hensarling
The U.S. House passed U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling's landmark legislation to dismantle Obama-era regulations of Wall Street institutions – but the bill faces an uncertain future in the U.S. Senate. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R- Dallas, in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2017.]()
Credit: Allison Shelley for The Texas Tribune -
Lawyers convention leaves Texas over state's new immigration law
The American Immigration Lawyers Association is relocating its 2018 convention from Texas due to the state's new immigration law. About 3,000 people were expected to attend the event. Full Story
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![A massive protest engulfs the Capitol Rotunda as anti-SB 4 protesters rally on May 29, 2017, the last day of the 85th legislative session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Take a closer look at the budget Texas lawmakers just passed
Did the Texas Legislature boost funding for border security? What about public education? Did they dip into the Rainy Day Fund? Here’s a wide-angle look at what's in the $217 billion budget the two chambers ultimately settled on. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Analysis: “Texas Miracle” comes down to earth
In their just-ended legislative session, Texas lawmakers mowed through a list of politically divisive issues that could have lasting effects on how others see a state that's been known for years as a mecca for business. Full Story
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![Construction in downtown Austin's warehouse district on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
For daily fantasy sports sites, legal limbo in Texas set to continue
A bill that would have affirmed the legality of some popular fantasy sports sites in Texas died this legislative session, continuing a murky legal landscape for players in the state. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
House, Senate strike deal on “Buy American” iron and steel bill
Senate Bill 1289 by state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would require large state projects to purchase iron and steel from an American supplier if the cost doesn’t exceed 20 percent more than the price of cheaper, foreign imports. Full Story
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![Construction in downtown Austin's Warehouse District on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Bills exempting tampons from Texas sales tax went nowhere this session
Despite state lawmakers filing several bills exempting tampons and other menstrual products from sales taxes, the measures didn't draw serious attention from the legislature this session. Full Story
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![Texas would be the first southern state to provide tax exemptions on female hygiene products related to menstrual cycles.]()
Credit: iStock.com -
Plan to overhaul Texas Rainy Day Fund and boost returns losing steam
A proposal to dramatically reshape the state’s savings account to set aside more funds for tough economic times has effectively died in the final days of the legislative session. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Axel Alfonshartmann -
Even in Texas, sometimes the billionaires lose
After billionaire Warren Buffett met with Gov. Greg Abbott and other top leaders, a bill to grant him a loophole from protectionist Texas auto laws seemed to be fast-tracked, until Tea Party activists found out about it. Full Story
![Warren Buffett in 2010.]()
Credit: White House -
Canadian officials upset with Republican “Buy American” iron and steel bill
A recent call from Texas lawmakers to “Buy American” iron and steel has upset some northern neighbors worried about the implications such a measure will have on Texas-Canada trade relations. Full Story
![Construction in downtown Austin's warehouse district on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
State employee health care fix could hurt Texas medical schools, critics say
Senators believe they have found a way to save $80 million on health care for state employees. But medical schools say the savings would come at their expense. Full Story
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