Past Contributions

• Perry Seeking Tax Relief That Texans Can Feel

  By Aman Batheja May 7, 2013

  While Texas voters grumble more about property taxes than the state's franchise tax on businesses, Gov. Rick Perry is focusing on the latter. Full Story 

• House Votes to Keep Schools Dealing With Businesses

  By Aman Batheja May 3, 2013

  A controversial program that school districts around the state use as an economic incentive tool would continue for another 10 years under a bill passed overwhelmingly by the House on Friday. Full Story 

• In Legislature, Do-Over Votes Raise Questions

  By Aman Batheja May 2, 2013

  The Texas Legislature has gotten into the habit this session of reversing its votes, raising concerns over how well lawmakers understand the hundreds of bills they're voting on. Full Story 

• House Votes to Reduce Reliance on Budget Diversions

  By Aman Batheja and Audrey White May 1, 2013

  House members on Wednesday passed two bills that take aim at the practice of budget diversions, in which fees collected for specific purposes are used in another manner. The measures now go to the Senate. Full Story 

• Debate Over Water Bill Could Spur Bigger Fight

  By Kate Galbraith, Aman Batheja and Jay Root April 29, 2013

  A bill that would draw $2 billion for water projects from the Rainy Day Fund is set to hit the House floor Monday afternoon. The debate could turn to focus on what it means to be a fiscal conservative in the Tea Party era. Full Story 

• House Backs $875 Million Budget Bill After Hot Debate

  By Reeve Hamilton, Kate Galbraith and Aman Batheja April 26, 2013

  A debate in the Texas House on a supplemental budget bill Friday veered into debates on the Travis County district attorney's drunken driving charge and the murder of two Kaufman County prosecutors. Full Story 

• Cash for Road Repair in Shale Areas Proves Elusive

  By Aman Batheja April 26, 2013

  Efforts by state lawmakers to find money to repair South and West Texas roads torn up amid a drilling boom appear to be stalling, according to some officials working on the matter. Officials warn about the hazards of not maintaining these roads. Full Story 

• Perry's Rainy Day Policy Fueled by Credit Ratings

  By Aman Batheja April 24, 2013

  As lawmakers debate how much money to leave in the state's Rainy Day Fund, Gov. Rick Perry is relying on a very specific figure: 7.5 percent. Full Story 

• Senate Backs $5.7 Billion Plan for Roads, Water, Schools

  By Aman Batheja April 23, 2013

  After spending most of the day locked away in negotiations, the Senate unanimously approved a measure pulling $5.7 billion from the Rainy Day Fund for water and road projects and public education. Full Story 

• House Makes Switch on Texas Lottery Commission

  By Aman Batheja April 23, 2013

  UPDATED: After unexpectedly voting to end the Texas Lottery Commission earlier Tuesday, the Texas House reversed course Tuesday afternoon with a vote to continue the commission. Full Story