Donald Trump says he will force Mexico to pay for a border wall as president by threatening to cut off the flow of billions of dollars in payments that immigrants send home to the country.
Economy
Get the latest on jobs, business, growth, and policy shaping the state’s economy with in-depth reporting from The Texas Tribune.
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Economy
Federal Judge Approves $20.8 Billion BP Spill Settlement
A federal judge on Monday approved a $20.8 billion settlement between a group of five Gulf Coast states — including Texas — and BP stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill.
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Economy
Analysis: Texas Government’s Shrinking Financial Buffer
State revenue could easily take some big hits this year — from a sliding oil and gas industry and from a series of potentially adverse court rulings. The message from the top to lawmakers: Don’t get too spendy.
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Economy
Texas Supreme Court Upholds Tax on “Small Tobacco”
A state tax that imposes a 55-cent fee on each pack of cigarettes produced by small tobacco manufacturers is constitutional, even though Big Tobacco manufacturers do not pay the tax, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday.
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Economy
Texas Ag Industry Seeks Swifter Action on Cuban Thaw
Convincing Congress to lift a 55-year-old trade embargo with Cuba could dramatically bolster the fortunes of struggling Texas farmers and cattle raisers, state lawmakers were told Thursday.
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Economy
In South Texas County, an Investment in Survival as Oil Boom Stalls
Thanks to a surge in drilling, La Salle County was able to finance a multi-million upgrade to its emergency response capabilities. While the oil boom has stalled, the dramatic improvements are here to stay, officials say.
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Economy
Texas Lawmakers Mull Boosting Eminent Domain Protections
State lawmakers are considering whether to tighten eminent domain laws to help landowners battling pipeline companies, electric utilities, public agencies or other entities seeking to condemn land their land for public use.
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Economy
Texas Regulators Approve Oncor Deal, But Uncertainty Persists
Texas regulators on Thursday approved the Ray L. Hunt family’s high-stakes plan to purchase and reshape the state’s largest electric utility. But they added major revisions, prolonging the battle to own Oncor.
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Economy
As Oil Prices Fell, Texas Campaign Donations Followed
For decades, the petroleum industry has largely fueled Texas’ influence in national Republican politics. But operatives are seeing early signs that the current oil bust has depressed the sector’s political giving.
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Economy
Railroad Commission Hopeful Unclear on Agency’s Duties
Wayne Christian, a candidate for Texas railroad commissioner, frequently touts his energy expertise. But he did not know one of the agency’s key duties — regulating natural gas utilities — until a reporter told him.