Texas lawmakers passed a two-year state budget on Saturday that cuts $15.2 billion from current spending — most of that in health and human services — but avoids increased taxes and leaves $6.5 billion untouched in the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
Economy
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Economy
A Businesslike Budget, After a Fashion
When Texas lawmakers said they wanted to run government like a business, they left out the part about using Enron and Countrywide as their models.
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Economy
Budget Negotiators Pass $15 Billion in Cuts for 2012-13
Budget negotiators adopted a report Thursday that cuts state spending by $15 billion. The measure is scheduled for a vote on the House and Senate floors as early as Saturday afternoon.
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University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
Immigration and Economy Top Concerns in UT/TT Poll
The most important problems facing the country are economic, while immigration and border security are the most important problems facing the state, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
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Economy
Budget Notes: The Race to Fix School Finance Without a Special Session
One day after the education fiscal bill, SB 1581, died on the floor of the House, lawmakers are scrambling to reach a deal and keep the budget bill, HB 1, on track for approval by both chambers before the weekend deadline. The governor is among the optimists who think they’ll finish their work without going into overtime.
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University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
Presidential Front-Runner in Texas? Not Perry, UT/TT Poll Finds
It’s a good thing Rick Perry says he’s not running for president — only 4 percent of Texas Republicans say they’d vote for the governor, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll.
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Economy
Budget Notes: Ogden, Pitts Plan Weekend Vote
The lead budget writers from the House and Senate answered questions about the budget they’ve agreed upon, admitting they don’t have all of the details yet and saying they could vote on the final plan this coming weekend.
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Economy
Budget Negotiators Agree on Education Funding
House and Senate negotiators agreed on spending on education, state salaries and benefits this morning and hope to have the final vote on the 2012-13 budget sometime this weekend.
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University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
No Clear Signals on Budget, UT/TT Poll Finds
Voters still want lawmakers to cut the budget, but they still oppose the major cuts in education and health and human services that cutting the budget requires, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
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Economy
Anxious High School Seniors Await Word on College Grants
Thousands of Texas students have been forced to put their college plans on hold as the Legislature, working on the state budget, determines what level of funding there will be for TEXAS Grants, the state’s principal financial aid program for financially needy college students.
