economy

Video: Davis, Leach and Nevárez on Tax Cuts

By Evan Smith May 21, 2015

At our 5/21 conversation, state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place; Jeff Leach, R-Plano; and Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass talked about the prospect of a deal on tax cuts. Full Story
Video: Davis, Leach and Nevárez on the Budget

By Evan Smith May 21, 2015

At our 5/21 conversation, state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place; Jeff Leach, R-Plano; and Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass talked about the coming budget deal between the House and the Senate. Full Story
Budget Writers Settle School Funding, Border Security

By Aman Batheja May 20, 2015

The House and Senate stepped closer to a final deal on a two-year budget Wednesday evening, settling dozens of differences between the two chambers including funding for public education and border security. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Lawmakers a Hair's Breadth Away From Cutting Braiding Laws

By Ryan McCrimmon May 20, 2015

After a Dallas hair braider's decades-long battle with the state to practice and teach African hair braiding in Texas, lawmakers passed a measure Wednesday to drop industry restrictions and sent the bill to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
Facing Cuts, Community Colleges Plead for More State Funding

By Matthew Watkins May 20, 2015

The state's 50 community college systems are one of the few areas targeted for cuts in state funding over the next two years. As a final budget is hashed out in the Legislature, school leaders are hoping to reverse their fiscal fortune. Full Story

Credit: Michael Stravato
Abbott Makes First Use of Texas Enterprise Fund

By Patrick Svitek May 14, 2015

Gov. Greg Abbott has made his first use of the Texas Enterprise Fund to help bring a tractor maker to Grapevine. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
End of the Road for Tesla, Ride-for-Hire Bills

By Jim Malewitz and Ryan McCrimmon May 14, 2015

With the clock winding down on the legislative session, Tesla Motors, Uber and Lyft have little to show for the money they spent on high-profile lobbying. As deadlines loom, the bills they were steering appear to have run out of gas. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Tesla Motors and Ben Hasson
Video: Bonnen on Property Tax "Cuts"

By Evan Smith May 13, 2015

At our 5/13 conversation, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, took issue with the Senate's stated intent to cut property taxes. Full Story
Video: Bonnen on the Spending Cap

By Evan Smith May 13, 2015

At our 5/13 conversation, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, explained why the spending cap is, in his words, "sacred." Full Story
Video: Bonnen on Dan Patrick

By Evan Smith May 13, 2015

At our 5/13 conversation, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, talked about his relationship with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — and the prospect of compromise with the Senate on taxes. Full Story
Video: A Conversation With Dennis Bonnen

By Evan Smith May 13, 2015

Full video of my 5/13 conversation with state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Full Story
Rainy Day Fund Could Be Invested More Aggressively

By Ryan McCrimmon May 12, 2015

The Texas Senate on Tuesday passed a measure granting Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar more flexibility to invest a portion of the $8 billion in the state’s Rainy Day Fund, sending the bill to the governor's desk. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Video: Sharp on Reregulating Tuition

By Evan Smith May 7, 2015

At our 5/7 conversation, John Sharp, the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, talked about the various legislative proposals to constrain the ability of public universities to raise tuition. Full Story
Pot Legalization Bill Clears House Panel

By Ryan McCrimmon May 6, 2015

State Rep. David Simpson's proposal to legalize marijuana in Texas moved closer to a full House after it was approved by a House committee Wednesday evening. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
House Rejects Tax Break for Pricey Boats

By Aman Batheja May 6, 2015

Lawmakers have soundly rejected a bill to cap the state sales tax on certain boat purchases worth more than $250,000. State Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, said his measure was about helping the struggling recreational marine industry. Full Story

Credit: Tamir Kalifa
Texas Unlikely to Ban Powdered Alcohol This Session

By Ryan McCrimmon May 6, 2015

Despite warning that powdered alcohol could lead to a spike in underage drinking that would “make the darkest days of the Four Loko era look tame,” a lawmaker on Wednesday pulled back his measure to outlaw the product in Texas. Full Story
Video: Castro on Baltimore

By Evan Smith May 1, 2015

At our 5/1 conversation, Julián Castro, the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, talked about the lessons of Baltimore — and how to prevent the next Baltimore. Full Story
Video: A Conversation With Julián Castro

By Evan Smith May 1, 2015

Full video of my 5/1 conversation with Julián Castro, the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Full Story
With Amendment, Bettencourt Aims to Limit Property Tax Growth

By Aman Batheja and Eva Hershaw April 30, 2015

State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, managed to add an amendment to a bill Thursday that would make it more difficult for some local entities to raise property taxes. Full Story

Credit: Charlie Pearce
Video: Turner on the Budget

By Evan Smith April 30, 2015

At our 4/30 conversation, state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and a candidate for Houston mayor, talked about the work of the budget conference committee. Full Story