The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
A newly elected Democratic judge issued the decision in the latest turn of a 2013 legal challenge to Houston's policy extending benefits to municipal employees' same-sex spouses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/07/05/TxTrib-GayWedding_018.JPG)
If confirmed, Busby, a former U.S. Supreme Court clerk, would replace Justice Phil Johnson, who retired after 13 years on the high court. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d41233fbae5ac932e76066e4f4952891/Brett_Busby_Texas_Supreme_Court.jpg)
For the second week in a row, the Senate Nominations Committee failed to bring Whitley up for a vote. And he's gained a new public adversary: the leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1bd9b50e93d18dc07d703d3c1f3df522/10_David_Whitley_Confirmation_MG._TT.jpg)
The fight over property tax rates is really about state leaders telling local officials how much their revenues can grow before voters get to step in. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b906b80467cec17d09ef438a570ef45c/day2-prop-tax-art.png)
Several government entities — from appraisal districts to city councils — play independent roles that collectively determine how much money Texas landowners owe local governments each year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4cb5621a1321941aca5f8d0b30d6a83b/share-art.png)
Weeks after state leaders trumpeted a consensus property tax reform proposal, few seem married to the bill's pitch to cut the rollback rate to 2.5 percent. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ecb09a0f7ec0c13e845f652d170ba92/01_Abbott_Bonnen_Patrick_Property_Tax_Presser_MG.jpg)
A recent in-custody death report said an inmate died from hyperthermia in July, but Texas prison officials said he was in an air-conditioned cell. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8e097f8701df854bfbaae3bf73638feb/01_Brazoria_County_Prison_JM.jpg)
Property taxes are one of three main sources of revenue for community colleges. If growth in those taxes is limited, the colleges say they may have to look elsewhere for revenue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/157dbd5e021780130f55b3ad421776bb/02_ACC_Riverside_Community_College_MG.jpg)
In hopes of saving money on data storage, legislators are considering downsizing the state's data centers and relying more on private tech companies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1de3918d0b79a4780153250c717bdf04/iStock_Server_room_TT.jpg)
Billed as a consumer-protection effort, the proposal would allow approved individuals to serve as investment advisers without registering with the state board — a felony under Texas law that Ken Paxton was charged with in 2015. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ef684d9076a7e75c517ccc6f4583f80/Angela_Paxton_LS_TT.jpg)
In a letter sent to lawmakers late Wednesday, David Whitley said he's sorry for the way he launched the review efforts but appeared not to be backing down from continuing the review. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4eafc36ede785a1021d55f4ab2621218/02_David_Whitley_Confirmation_MG_TT.jpg)
The governor has laid out his legislative priorities. In our latest "Under the Dome" episode, we look at the challenges lawmakers face in addressing the issues of property taxes and school finance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/256b86626f5f2dff144149b31841a378/UTD-Episode-5-Lead)
In addition to the six House members, there are six female Republicans in the state Senate. Republican lawmakers and political operatives are hoping to make moves now to get those numbers up after the 2020 election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b501429a36c4db6444417d56dda76d1d/RepublicanWomen.png)
A new proposal to cut school property taxes in Texas perfectly outlines the political problem facing lawmakers: It's terribly expensive, and other taxes have to be raised to pay for it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c6a4280911abb90f92fa7c5f6a33418d/21_State_of_the_Judiciary_EW.jpg)
Lawmakers in both chambers and parties want to fix the controversial Driver Responsibility Program, but the program funds state trauma centers. Where will they find $144 million to fill the gap? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aaac0d0542b6402a224b75af4357aab4/TXTrib_PeacefulStreets_013.jpg)
State leaders have all thrown support behind tapping the rainy day fund to help with Hurricane Harvey recovery. But a year and a half after the storm, they haven't offered many specifics. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b1a772524f840167a011f92d04995a77/Memorial_Houston_Harvey_2017_MS_TT.jpg)
Voters will decide the successor to former state Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, who was elected to the Texas Senate in December. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/239021c458545919cf7044da9c708c7d/Noriega_and_Morales_Split_HD_145.jpg)
“It’s going to take us a while to get out of this backlog that we’re in, but we’re doing the things necessary to help more consumers,” a state official said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3c7322f64f976e22230d609d41a6be3c/Doctors%20Office%20Clinic%20Medical%2002.jpg)
The Senate panel's vote came despite fierce pushback from city and county leaders, who say a lower election threshold on increased property tax revenues could hamstring their budgets. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/463767b18380385d1e314a54c650f58b/01_Senate_Property_Tax_Committee_Hearing_EW.jpg)
A Texas Senate committee is moving rapidly to require voter approval for local property tax increases over 2.5 percent. But some want to see the Legislature's school finance bill before they vote on property taxes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26f88842ce20292b0a9899524d6e0936/02_Senate_Property_Tax_Committee_Hearing_EW.jpg)