House: Dripping Springs the "Wedding Capital of Texas"
The Texas House said “I do” to a proposal Wednesday by Republican Jason Isaac to designate Dripping Springs as the state wedding capital. Full Story
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![Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, on the House floor, February 8, 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Senate Approves Funneling Car Sales Tax to Highways
If voters approve, some of the taxes collected on car sales would be dedicated to building and fixing highways under the first two pieces of legislation to clear the Senate this session. Teachers might also see a pay boost under the measures. Full Story
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![Wokers along stretch of highway at US290/US 183 April 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Patrick: Exempt Tax Cuts, Debt Payments From Spending Cap
Senate leaders joined Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to announce a plan to allow lawmakers to cut property taxes and pay down the state's debt without busting the state’s politically charged spending cap. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson R-Flower Mound, together with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, hold a press conference on the budget on Jan. 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Analysis: In Senate, Spotlight Squarely on Tax Cuts
Here's some free advice to anyone hoping to see some love in the next state budget: Get in line. Tax cuts are at the front of the queue. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: A Bid to Solidify Support Services for Female Veterans
More female veterans call Texas home than any other state, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s a growing segment of the military population that could soon have a state resource exclusively dedicated to serving its needs. Full Story
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Senators Show Interest in Ditching Margins Tax
As a key Senate committee prepares to hear public testimony on tax cut proposals Wednesday, senators expressed strong interest in repealing the state's unpopular margins tax on businesses, which has raised $4.7 billion annually. Full Story
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Analysis: A Desire for Tax Cuts and a Call for Restraint
As state officials rush to announce tax cuts, a former mayor now in the Senate is pleading for a little restraint and a return to pay-as-you-go government. Full Story
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![Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, is congratulated by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, in passing changes to Senate rules on Jan. 21, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
State Waits for Directions to Declassify Colonias
The state has worked for decades to halt the proliferation of colonias, but it has no way to declassify communities that have outgrown the colonia description. Full Story
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![A young girl plays outside her home in the Pueblo de Palmas colonia near Mission, Texas, on Aug. 29, 2013.]()
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New Sheriff Arrives at Troubled Health Agency
The new chief watchdog for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission told lawmakers Monday he plans to right the embattled department by going after fraud and waste outside and inside the $37 billion state social services empire. Full Story
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At Hearing, Climate Change Called a "Threat Multiplier"
A Democratic state lawmaker on Monday kicked off efforts to force a discussion about climate change in Texas, but he faces an uphill battle in a state where most Republican leaders don't believe it is a problem. Full Story
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![Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, during a Texas Tribune event on Feb. 21, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Playlist: The Race is On
The first University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll of 2015 had good news for likely White House hopefuls Scott Walker and Hillary Clinton — so we’re kicking off this week’s playlist with George Jones singing “The Race Is On." Full Story
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Roundup: Polls and Property Tax Cuts
This week in the Roundup, we take a look at the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll and a proposal by state Senate leaders to offer tax relief to property owners and businesses. Full Story
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UT/TT Poll: The Least Popular Government
Voters like the state government slightly better than their local government — and a lot better than the federal government, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Conservative Lawmakers Target United Nations
In the latest effort by conservatives to fight what they see as overreach by the United Nations, two Texas Republican lawmakers have filed legislation aimed at a nonbinding plan for sustainable development that the United States and more than 100 other countries signed in 1992. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Video: Revamped CPRIT Faces New Questions from Lawmakers
As the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas rebuilds its image after a scandal tied to grant awards, its leaders face a new generation of conservative lawmakers who are questioning whether the state should be in the cancer-fighting business. Full Story
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Racing Commission Still at Risk of Being Cut Off
Hell hath no fury like a Senate scorned, the head of the Texas Racing Commission found Wednesday when he tried to make peace with the Senate Finance Committee. The commission ignored lawmakers on a key racing vote, and its budget remains zeroed out. Full Story
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![State Senate Finance Chairwoman Jane Nelson R-Flower Mound, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick discussed the Senate's base budget plan at a Jan. 27, 2015, news conference.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
UT/TT Poll: Voters Vexed With Property Taxes
Property taxes clearly have the attention of Texas voters, and not in a positive way, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. And they are not particularly happy with business taxes, either. Full Story
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Education Chairman Defends High School Graduation Rates
Committee Chairman Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, took to his soapbox at the beginning of Tuesday's public education hearing to defend the high standards of Texas education. Full Story
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![Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, in Austin on Jan. 22, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Lobby Firm Helped Draft GOP Letter to Racing Commission
State Sen. Joan Huffman acknowledges that a lobby firm with ties to casino interests helped her draft a GOP caucus letter blasting a proposal to allow expanded gambling at horse tracks. Now a major proponent of the tracks is crying foul. Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, speaks during a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 12, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott, Senate Leaders Tout Road Funding Plans
The day before Texas lawmakers begin considering a major transportation bill, state leaders made a concerted push for the measure as part of a larger effort to boost much-needed highway funding. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott delivering his State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich