Past Contributions

• House, Senate Pass Bills Key to Budget Deal

  By Emily Ramshaw and Aman Batheja May 22, 2013

  UPDATED: After days of jockeying and one-upsmanship, the Texas House and Senate each approved measures Wednesday evening critical to passing their next two-year budget. Full Story 

• Senate Votes to Extend UT-Austin's Admissions Cap

  By Reeve Hamilton and Aman Batheja May 21, 2013

  The Senate approved an extension of the University of Texas at Austin's cap on automatic admissions under the state's top 10 percent rule on Tuesday, and members rejected efforts to do away with the rule entirely. Full Story 

• Nominations Committee Approves UT Regent Nominees

  By Reeve Hamilton and Aman Batheja May 21, 2013

  The Senate Nominations Committee unanimously voted Tuesday to approve Gov. Rick Perry's three nominees to the University of Texas System Board of Regents. The nominees must still be confirmed by the full Senate. Full Story 

• House, Senate Negotiators Reach Deal on Budget

  By Aman Batheja May 17, 2013

  After days of negotiations, House and Senate representatives agreed to a budget plan that would add roughly $4 billion in extra funding for public education. It also paves the way for a $2 billion fund for water infrastructure projects. Full Story 

• House Democrats: Budget Deal Still Not in Place

  By Aman Batheja May 17, 2013

  UPDATED: Half a day after Senate budget leaders said the contours of a budget deal were in place, confusion and uncertainty reigned in the Capitol as key negotiators argued over competing proposals. Full Story 

• House, Senate Clash Over Dutton Bill Resolved

  By Reeve Hamilton, Ryan Murphy and Aman Batheja May 17, 2013

  UPDATED: Friday morning's clash between the House and Senate appears to be water under the bridge. Lawmakers in the upper chamber said it was a tussle over a local Houston matter — but that they're working to resolve it. Full Story 

• Infrastructure Constraints Loom as Texas Grows

  By Kate Galbraith and Aman Batheja May 17, 2013

  Texas’ drought and water-supply problems have captured headlines. But with the state’s rapid population growth projected to continue, other infrastructure problems also loom, including clogged roads and a strained power grid. Full Story 

• Budget Deal Remains in Flux After Hearings Canceled

  By Aman Batheja May 16, 2013

  UPDATED: The cancellation of two key committee hearings Thursday put into clear focus that budget negotiations, believed to be nearly done just two days earlier, remained ongoing. Full Story 

• Senate Sponsor Significantly Rewrites Franchise Tax Bill

  By Aman Batheja May 16, 2013

  House Bill 500, the Legislature's most sweeping attempt at reforming the franchise tax this session, was drastically rewritten Thursday morning by its Senate sponsor, state Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy. Full Story 

• Irony Abounds in Debate Over Ethics Proposals

  By Emily Ramshaw and Aman Batheja May 16, 2013

  In this session's ethics battles, watchdogs say there’s more contradiction than conviction. Full Story