Video: The Battle over the Budget in the 84th Session
Here's video of our 84th Legislature preview session on the budget debate. Panelists included state Sens. Judith Zaffirini and Kel Seliger and state Reps. Drew Darby and Donna Howard. Full Story
The latest economy news from The Texas Tribune.
Here's video of our 84th Legislature preview session on the budget debate. Panelists included state Sens. Judith Zaffirini and Kel Seliger and state Reps. Drew Darby and Donna Howard. Full Story
Depending on your political leanings, the spending cap state lawmakers set this week was either too low, too high or just right. Regardless, the arcane measure could effectively block lawmakers from accessing billions of dollars in state revenue. Full Story
The first city in Texas to ban hydraulic fracturing tells a court it has every right to do so, calling the oil and gas extraction technique a “public nuisance” with "offensive results." Full Story
State leaders including Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus have voted to set the state growth rate for the next two years at 11.68 percent, a move that will impact the budget lawmakers write in next year's session. Full Story
Lawmakers this week will choose a number — a projected growth limit for the state government — that will frame their budget battles throughout the coming legislative session. Full Story
Texas leaders weren't always so skeptical about climate change. But the state's rightward shift, coupled with a booming oil and gas economy, have changed the tenor of the debate. This story was produced in collaboration with The World. Full Story
Revisit The Texas Tribune's four-part Hurting for Work series, led by reporter Jay Root, on how the state's anti-regulatory climate fueled a "Texas miracle" economy — while tearing down protections for the workers who built it. Full Story
The Texas Supreme Court will not review whether a $5-per-patron fee at live nude entertainment clubs is an occupation tax in disguise, letting stand a ruling that found alcohol-serving strip clubs must pay up when it comes to the "pole tax." Full Story
A state audit released Friday found weak oversight and some conflicts of interests at school districts that approve large property tax breaks for businesses. Full Story
As state regulators fret about how President Obama’s effort to combat climate change would affect the Texas power grid, a new study says the rules would save the state billions of gallons of water annually. Full Story
California has stopped letting companies pay consultants a commission based on the size of tax cut and incentive packages they help land. Texas has no such restriction. Full Story
To attract young families, the Texas Beef Council is turning to food and recipe apps, its website and tailored cooking events. Full Story
At our 10/31 symposium on the impact of the shale boom on Texas, I talked economic transformation with Midland Mayor Jerry Morales, San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor, UTSA's Thomas Tunstall and Don Tymrak, the city manager of Karnes City. Full Story
At our 10/31 symposium on the impact of the shale boom on Texas, Jim Malewitz talked with state Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, and Texas Railroad Commissoner Barry Smitherman about what it will take to keep the boom booming. Full Story
The legendary oilman reflects on plunging oil prices, cranky folks in Denton and silly congressmen. Full Story
A representative from Gov. Rick Perry's office praised a critical state audit of the Texas Enterprise Fund at a hearing Wednesday, but warned against lawmakers restricting how the next governor can use the fund to draw business to Texas. Full Story
A coalition aiming to encourage commercial and industrial property owners in Texas to invest in energy and water efficiency says it has made major progress. Full Story
When lawmakers are not working on all of the things you hear about — budgets, education, immigration and so on — they are often refereeing fights between businesses. And some of next year's battles are already shaping up. Full Story
We're liveblogging the sessions from the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival's Transportation track. The sessions include panels on road funding, high-speed rail, future transportation planning and the new urban mobility. Full Story
The comptroller's office recently researched the accuracy of its two-year revenue estimates going back 40 years and five comptrollers. Comptroller Susan Combs' 2011 forecast has become an issue in this year's race to replace her. Full Story