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.
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
Lawmakers a Hair’s Breadth Away From Cutting Braiding Laws
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.
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Economy
Facing Cuts, Community Colleges Plead for More State Funding
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.
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Economy
Abbott Makes First Use of Texas Enterprise Fund
Gov. Greg Abbott has made his first use of the Texas Enterprise Fund to help bring a tractor maker to Grapevine.
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Economy
End of the Road for Tesla, Ride-for-Hire Bills
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.
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Economy
Video: Bonnen on Property Tax “Cuts”
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.
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Economy
Video: Bonnen on the Spending Cap
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.”
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Economy
Video: Bonnen on Dan Patrick
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.
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Economy
Video: A Conversation With Dennis Bonnen
Full video of my 5/13 conversation with state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
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Economy
Rainy Day Fund Could Be Invested More Aggressively
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.