House, Senate Leaders Confirm Transportation Funding Deal
House and Senate leaders have come to an agreement on a deal to significantly boost the Texas Department of Transportation’s funding. Full Story
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![State Sen. Robert Nichols R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, speak at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015.]()
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Texas House Approves TWIA Overhaul
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, the often-tapped insurer of last resort for Gulf Coast property owners, looks poised to get a major overhaul. Full Story
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House Unanimously Backs Property Tax Break
In a 136-1 vote, the House favored Senate Bill 1, which would raise the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000 if voters approve an amendment to the state Constitution in November. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, on the House floor on May 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Union Dues Spark an End-of-Session Dispute
An unexpected end-of-session skirmish over payroll deductions for union dues pits Republicans against Democrats, business against labor, and presents lawmakers with one of those votes that might be important in next year's elections. Full Story
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![Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, answers an audience question during TTEvents on April 30, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
State Leaders Reach Tax Cut Deal
UPDATED: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus announced late Thursday the terms of a $3.8 billion tax relief package — a move that followed weeks of testy negotiations. Full Story
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![From left: Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are shown on May 21, 2015.]()
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Video: Davis, Leach and Nevárez on Tax Cuts
At our 5/21 conversation, state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place; Jeff Leach, R-Plano; and Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass talked about the prospect of a deal on tax cuts. Full Story
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Video: Davis, Leach and Nevárez on the Budget
At our 5/21 conversation, state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place; Jeff Leach, R-Plano; and Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass talked about the coming budget deal between the House and the Senate. Full Story
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Budget Writers Settle School Funding, Border Security
The House and Senate stepped closer to a final deal on a two-year budget Wednesday evening, settling dozens of differences between the two chambers including funding for public education and border security. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, and Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, are shown at a joint budget hearing on May 20, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Lawmakers a Hair's Breadth Away From Cutting Braiding Laws
After a Dallas hair braider's decades-long battle with the state to practice and teach African hair braiding in Texas, lawmakers passed a measure Wednesday to drop industry restrictions and sent the bill to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
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Facing Cuts, Community Colleges Plead for More State Funding
The state's 50 community college systems are one of the few areas targeted for cuts in state funding over the next two years. As a final budget is hashed out in the Legislature, school leaders are hoping to reverse their fiscal fortune. Full Story
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Abbott Makes First Use of Texas Enterprise Fund
Gov. Greg Abbott has made his first use of the Texas Enterprise Fund to help bring a tractor maker to Grapevine. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott annouces several emergency legislative items in his first State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
End of the Road for Tesla, Ride-for-Hire Bills
With the clock winding down on the legislative session, Tesla Motors, Uber and Lyft have little to show for the money they spent on high-profile lobbying. As deadlines loom, the bills they were steering appear to have run out of gas. Full Story
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Video: Bonnen on Property Tax "Cuts"
At our 5/13 conversation, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, took issue with the Senate's stated intent to cut property taxes. Full Story
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Video: Bonnen on the Spending Cap
At our 5/13 conversation, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, explained why the spending cap is, in his words, "sacred." Full Story
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Video: Bonnen on Dan Patrick
At our 5/13 conversation, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, talked about his relationship with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — and the prospect of compromise with the Senate on taxes. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation With Dennis Bonnen
Full video of my 5/13 conversation with state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Full Story
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Rainy Day Fund Could Be Invested More Aggressively
The Texas Senate on Tuesday passed a measure granting Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar more flexibility to invest a portion of the $8 billion in the state’s Rainy Day Fund, sending the bill to the governor's desk. Full Story
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![Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Sharp on Reregulating Tuition
At our 5/7 conversation, John Sharp, the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, talked about the various legislative proposals to constrain the ability of public universities to raise tuition. Full Story
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Pot Legalization Bill Clears House Panel
State Rep. David Simpson's proposal to legalize marijuana in Texas moved closer to a full House after it was approved by a House committee Wednesday evening. Full Story
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House Rejects Tax Break for Pricey Boats
Lawmakers have soundly rejected a bill to cap the state sales tax on certain boat purchases worth more than $250,000. State Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, said his measure was about helping the struggling recreational marine industry. Full Story
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![State Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, at a Texas Tribune symposium in April, 2013]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa