Energy Efficiency Advocates Optimistic About Loan Program
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
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![The Rose, a nonprofit based in Houston, upgraded its building’s windows, light switches and roof, above, to make them more energy efficient.]()
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Analysis: Getting State's Permission to Do Business
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
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![A Tesla Model S. The California-based electric automaker had considered Texas for its $5 billion lithium-ion battery factory. The company is also hoping to sell cars in Texas but does not have required franchise dealerships, as state law requires.]()
Credit: Tesla Motors -
Liveblog: Transportation at The Texas Tribune Festival
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
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
Comptroller Study Shows Difficulty of Predicting Future Tax Revenue
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
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![Comptroller Susan Combs’ office recently researched the accuracy of tax revenue estimates going back 40 years.]()
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Report: Texas Loses Bid For Tesla "Gigafactory"
After a drawn-out competition, Texas has lost out on Tesla Motors' $5 billion lithium-ion battery plant, according to a news report. CNBC reports that the upscale electric carmaker had chosen the Silver State to be home to its “gigafactory.” Full Story
![A Tesla Model S. The California-based electric automaker had considered Texas for its $5 billion lithium-ion battery factory. The company is also hoping to sell cars in Texas but does not have required franchise dealerships, as state law requires.]()
Credit: Tesla Motors -
In Red Texas, Local Governments Face Trickle-Down Taxes
The Republican battle cry in Texas? Lowering taxes and cutting government costs. But sometimes, belt-tightening at the state level translates into trickle-down costs for local governments. Full Story
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Series: Bypassed by the Miracle
Check out Bypassed by the Miracle, our seven-part series on the people and communities that have missed out on Texas' economic success or are finding that it comes at a price. Full Story
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![Keller ISD Superintendent Randy Reid spoke during an Aug. 11, 2014, town hall meeting, where attendees debated whether to put a $175 million bond up to Keller ISD voters in the general election.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
Swelling School Districts Find a Costly Way to Grow Within State Debt Limits
Leander and other fast-growing school districts have relied heavily on a controversial financing tool called capital appreciation bonds to borrow money to expand even as they bump up against state limits on school district debt. Full Story
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![Leander ISD's Whitestone Elementary School, shown on Aug. 21, 2014, has six portable classrooms to help with increased student enrollment. District officials say If the district couldn't use capital appreciation bonds to borrow money, it would have to put more students in portables.]()
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Critics Say Bond Elections Lack True Transparency
Texas voters approve billions of dollars in new local debt each year. A growing group of critics argues that voters wouldn't be so agreeable if they were more clearly informed of the debt that's already owed in their name. Full Story
![Keller ISD Superintendent Randy Reid spoke during an Aug. 11, 2014, town hall meeting, where attendees debated whether to put a $175 million bond up to Keller ISD voters in the general election.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
Local Debt Explorer
Texas counties, cities and school districts have more than $100 billion in debt that's backed by a pledge of local property taxes. Use our Local Debt Explorer to find out how much tax-supported debt is held in your community. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Local Debt Climbs as Cities Deal With Growth
Texas cities, counties and school districts are relying more on debt to maintain services in a fast-growing state. While critics argue communities need to work harder to live within their means, local officials say the issue is not that simple. Full Story
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![Between cities, school districts and counties, more than half of all Texans live in areas where the bill for taxpayer-supported debt, including expected interest, totals more than $1 billion, according to state data analyzed by The Texas Tribune.]()
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For Many Texans, Miracle Economy Doesn't Apply
State leaders tout the so-called Texas miracle – the idea that the economy here is thriving thanks to their small-government approach. But not everyone benefits. Here are the stories of six Texans who've found little relief in the Texas miracle. Full Story
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Abbott's Business Tax Remarks Spark Confusion
Attorney General Greg Abbott spoke this month at a conservative conference about how Texas could attract more jobs if it didn't have a business franchise tax. But Abbott isn't proposing a repeal of the tax, according to his campaign. Full Story
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![GOP gubernatorial nominee Greg Abbott speaking at the RedState Gathering in Fort Worth, Texas on August 9, 2014.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill -
Senators Debate Funding, Merits of National Guard Deployment
At a state Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday, senators debated the merits and tactical strategies of Gov. Rick Perry’s decision to send Texas National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, during a Health and Human Services committee hearing on Feb. 19, 2013.]()
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Some Texas Cities Turn to Higher Water Impact Fees
As cities across Texas continue to spread out, water suppliers and local governments are faced with the question of who should pay for building the infrastructure needed to handle the growth. Full Story
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![Real estate developers building new homes are facing higher water impact fees in Austin, San Antonio and other Texas jurisdictions.]()
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Water Board Delays Final Decision Over Controversial Reservoir
In an unexpected move, the Texas Water Development Board on Thursday punted a final decision on the controversial Marvin Nichols Reservoir a few months down the road. Full Story
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EPA's Proposed Emissions Limits Drawing Debate
A proposal by the federal government would place stricter limits on emissions from petrochemical and other industrial plants. An EPA hearing this week in the Houston area reflected the heated debate over balancing economic growth with air quality concerns. Full Story
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![An oil refinery is shown in the Houston Ship Channel in 2011.]()
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Some Lawmakers Want Legislative Changes to Avoid Fertilizer Blasts
A committee of Texas lawmakers met Tuesday to discuss possible legislation aimed at preventing another disaster like last year’s explosion in West — with some still skeptical of imposing regulations on fertilizer storage facilities. Full Story
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![A vehicle near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion in West, Texas, near Waco.]()
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In Bank Debate, High Stakes for Texas Businesses and GOP
A once-obscure federal export credit agency has landed at the center of a national debate over business and free-market ideology, with potentially enduring ramifications for the Texas companies it supports and the Republicans it is dividing. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas.]()
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GOP State Senate Nominees Speak Out Against Historical Racing
Five Republican nominees for seats in the Texas Senate voiced public opposition Monday to a proposal that would allow a controversial new form of betting on horse races in Texas. Full Story
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Credit: Robert Hensley