A loophole helped McAllen hide how much it paid Enrique Iglesias. The Texas House on Wednesday moved to patch it.
The Texas House unanimously passed House Bill 81 on Wednesday. Full Story
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Cassandra Pollock
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Cassandra Pollock was a state politics reporter for the Tribune. She joined the Tribune full-time in June 2017 after a fellowship during the 85th Texas Legislature. Pollock spent her first two years at the Trib as an engagement reporter, which meant her name likely landed in your inbox every weekday morning with “The Brief,” a newsletter on all things Texas politics and public policy. Pollock is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. Pollock left The Texas Tribune in 2021.
Past Contributions
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![Singer Enrique Iglesias accepts an award at the 2015 Latin Billboard Awards in Coral Gables, Florida April 30, 2015.]()
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With major policy differences emerging, state leaders continue to project unity
Halfway through the legislative session, lawmakers say they're getting along. But they have a long way to go to achieve their goals this year. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen hold a joint press conference on the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion on Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Texas House bill would put $9 billion into school finance reform and property tax relief
Members of the Texas House received their first look at the soon-to-be-filed proposal in a one-page summary circulating around the Texas Capitol Monday afternoon. Full Story
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![Rep. Dan Huberty R-Houston speaks to media after the House concurs on school finance bill on August 15, 2017]()
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Texas Senate unanimously passes $5,000 teacher pay raises, adding librarians
The proposal faces an uphill climb in the lower chamber, with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen saying he prefers to give school districts flexibility on addressing teacher pay. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flowermound, introduces SB 3 on the Senate Floor on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Victoria Neave sued over $26,000 in unpaid property taxes
Neave said Thursday afternoon that she had been notified of the lawsuit, which was filed earlier this week. Full Story
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![State Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, speaks to the press regarding the statements released about the alleged 95,000 non-citizens on the voter rolls, in Austin on Jan. 30, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
Donald Trump endorses U.S. Sen. John Cornyn for re-election
The president's support comes 21 months before Election Day. Full Story
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![Sen. John Cornyn R-TX during TPPF's annual policy orientation in Austin on January 11, 2019]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
After state leaders’ unified rollout, 2.5 percent rollback rate on property tax bill looks unlikely to stick
Weeks after state leaders trumpeted a consensus property tax reform proposal, few seem married to the bill's pitch to cut the rollback rate to 2.5 percent. Full Story
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![From left: Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; Gov. Greg Abbott; House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton; and Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, speak at a Jan 31, 2019, news conference addressing property tax reform.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Democrats made big progress in 2018. Will they capitalize on it in 2019?
Some freshman Democrats see an opportunity to be ambitious this legislative session. But more seasoned lawmakers suggest a more measured approach. Full Story
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![The House Democratic Caucus speaks to the press following Gov. Abbott's State of the State address in Austin on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Days after heated meeting, Texas Senate property tax committee passes 2.5-percent rollback rate bill
The Senate panel's vote came despite fierce pushback from city and county leaders, who say a lower election threshold on increased property tax revenues could hamstring their budgets. Full Story
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![The Senate Property Tax Committee Hearing on Feb. 6, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen names committee chairs
Bonnen appointed House members to head more than 30 committees this legislative session. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announces committee chairs. Jan 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune