Lawmakers, Policy Experts Spar Over LBB Jobs Analysis
Lawmakers and lobbyists continue to spar over the accuracy of a recent Legislative Budget Board analysis of the effect House Bill 1 could have on jobs in the state of Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/want_ads.JPG)
-
![More jobs in Texas...but more people looking too.]()
Credit: Ben Philpott -
GRAPHIC: How Lawmakers Set the Budget
Confused about the budget? Trust us — you’re not alone. Later this week, the House votes on several key pieces of legislation. We've created a flow chart to help keep track of the process. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasOnTopofMoney_1_jpg_800x1000_q100.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Jack Pratt: The TT Interview
The head of the Texas Gaming Association, who's trying to convince Texas lawmakers to legalize casinos, on what's different this year, what he says to people who just don't like gambing, and how his likes his chances. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
An Unexpectedly Important Bloc on Budget: Freshmen
Behold the mighty freshman Republicans of the Texas House of Representatives. They’re supposed to be quiet, to bow to their tenured colleagues, to stay out of the way. But here they are, quietly and deferentially exercising some clout on the only piece of legislation that absolutely has to pass: the state budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/NoNewTaxes.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
House, Senate Budget Battle Looming
This week, we saw signs Senate budget writers may be willing to spend more than their counterparts in the House. Meanwhile, a new analysis of the House budget's possible effects on Texas jobs raised eyebrows. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TheDifferenceScreencap_s.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
State Senate, Facing Tight Budget, Hunts Revenue
The Texas Senate isn’t allowed to raise money. It’s right there in the state’s Constitution, which says all revenue bills must originate in the House. But there it goes, looking for “non-tax revenues” to put enough meat on the skimpy proposed budget to get senators to vote for it. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Deep Rift in Beaumont on School Administration
Beaumont's Carrol A. Thomas, who makes $347,834 annually, is the highest-paid superintendent in Texas, even though his district of about 20,000 students is considerably smaller than those in other Texas cities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-BISD-CCR019.jpg)
![Beaumont attorney Micheal Getz is running for city council and a vocal opponent of the school board.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Analysis of House Budget Divides Lawmakers
Lawmakers offered dueling interpretations Thursday of a Legislative Budget Board analysis predicting that the state could lose hundreds of thousands of jobs if the House's budget bill is passed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasFlagRainyDay.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
For Seniors in Texas, Hunger on the Rise
Hunger, at an all-time high in the U.S., is especially pronounced among seniors, with more than 6 million considered "food insecure." And as Matt Largey of KUT News reports, the problem is growing in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/OldWomanOutTheWindow.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 72
This week's episode of the TribCast features Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben talking mostly about the budget, but also a bit about redistricting and academic research. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TT-TribCast-002.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
House, Senate Budget Goals Could Lead to Battle
As the House prepares for a vote on its budget bill, Senate lawmakers are hinting that they're looking to spend more than their counterparts on public education — setting the stage for a budget battle. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/pittsbudgetlayout_1.jpg)
![State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, lays out House Bill 1.]()
-
Classrooms A Priority
Republican senators say the state's budget shortfall will mean educations cuts, but they said schools should focus first on eliminating non-classroom expenses and keeping as many teachers as possible. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/SenateEDU.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Infographic: The Politics of the Rainy Day Fund
Use our infographic to understand the intent of the Rainy Day Fund, what it takes to draw from that savings account, and the political arguments for and against using it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/rainy-dayLA_1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Ben Hasson -
Who's Watching the Stimulus?
The House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding has expired, and its outspoken leader failed to get re-elected. So, amid all the state's fiscal concerns, who is keeping an eye on the stimulus? Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside Intelligence: The Rainy Day Fund Deal Will...
For the latest installment of our nonscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked whether the full Legislature will go along with a deal to tap the Rainy Day Fund and about how the budget process will finally work out. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/inside_intelligence-logo_1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
At South by Southwest, Another Type of British Invasion
Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune sat down with Dominick Chilcott, deputy ambassador for Britain, to talk about what lures companies from across the pond to South by Southwest. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasMoneyTree.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Combs Raises Estimate of State Revenue
The state's budget outlook is improving and lawmakers will have more money to spend than they thought, Comptroller Susan Combs said in a letter to legislative leaders today. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside Intelligence: A Special Session This Summer Is...
For the latest installment of our nonscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked whether there will be special sessions this summer and what issues would force lawmakers into overtime. Full Story
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Who Will Be Blamed for Big Cuts in School Funding?
Who will be blamed for what are expected to be enormous cuts in public education funding? There will be blood. It’s undeniable, especially when the governor goes out of his way to say that he doesn’t have any on his hands. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas Tribune Weekly Rundown
The Texas Tribune's rundown of capitol politics for the week of March 7-11, 2011. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/rainy_day_wide.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/22f435eed82b122e8c90bfbbfffbbe8e/BD%20INC%20Pratt%200773%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d7ff44a10d39e7cc92c7ddc8f1ac998a/BD%20INC%20Dewhurst%2004%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/94f18a81f984c792d1254b0c7351d967/BD%20INC%20Dunnam%2001%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b8ed19150a7fd85f8c8821b2c9d6480e/BD%20INC%20Combs%2003%20CMS%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ac002c7bf503f95dd77d45f6b611add2/BD%20INC%20Perry%20Looks%20Up%202010)