President Obama will begin his swing through Austin on Thursday with a brief meeting with Gov. Rick Perry on the tarmac at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
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
Agenda Texas: Revisiting the Texas Miracle
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: President Obama’s visit to Austin on Thursday as part of a new jobs tour has again put the state’s economy in the spotlight.
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Economy
House Gives Early OK to Franchise Tax Measure
UPDATED: The House’s most sweeping attempt at tax reform this year passed on a preliminary vote on Tuesday after hours of at times acrimonious debate. House Bill 500 which would spend an estimated $667 million over the next biennium.
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Economy
Proposed Tax Break Has Some Singing Praises, Others Singing the Blues
A House bill would cut the tax on mixed beverage sales for clubs that prove they’re using the savings to present live music. Advocates for some Texas cities and counties say the proposal would rob their coffers of much-needed tax revenue.
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Economy
State’s Shale Boom Has Major Impact on Budget
Besides boosting the economies of remote towns, the shale boom has big implications for the Texas economy and budget. Already, taxes on oil and gas production have soared above the comptroller’s estimates.
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Economy
Video: Perry Talks About Priorities for Rest of Session
With less than a month remaining in the legislative session, Gov. Rick Perry met with the Texas House GOP Caucus and talked to reporters about his support for a bill that would draw $2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund for water infrastructure needs.
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Economy
Cash for Road Repair in Shale Areas Proves Elusive
Efforts by state lawmakers to find money to repair South and West Texas roads torn up amid a drilling boom appear to be stalling, according to some officials working on the matter. Officials warn about the hazards of not maintaining these roads.
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Economy
Perry’s Rainy Day Policy Fueled by Credit Ratings
As lawmakers debate how much money to leave in the state’s Rainy Day Fund, Gov. Rick Perry is relying on a very specific figure: 7.5 percent.
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Economy
Senate Backs $5.7 Billion Plan for Roads, Water, Schools
After spending most of the day locked away in negotiations, the Senate unanimously approved a measure pulling $5.7 billion from the Rainy Day Fund for water and road projects and public education.
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Economy
Senate OKs Electric Rebates From Fund to Assist Poor
All but 10 percent of a nearly $1 billion state fund intended to assist the poor with utility payments would be rebated to electric customers under a measure that preliminarily passed the Texas Senate on Monday.