/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Karen_Harper_NEW_TT_01.jpg)
Karen Brooks Harper reported on the state budget and health and human services from 2020 to 2024. An alumna of the Missouri School of Journalism, Karen arrived in Texas in 1995 to join the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, spent several years in Laredo and Mexico covering immigration and the drug war for Knight-Ridder newspapers, and has covered Texas politics for more than two decades for news organizations including the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Dallas Morning News and Reuters.
The preliminary budgets by House and Senate call for $130.1 billion in state spending over two years, even though tens of billions more are available to them. The bills do not bust state or constitutional spending limits. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3e13dac9fac30ff458430a67159c5335/Austin%20Closures%20MG%20TT%2011.jpg)
It’s far more money than legislators have ever had at their disposal, with an increase in available funds that dwarfs any previous jumps between cycles. It’s also more money than lawmakers can constitutionally spend. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b920ea42464fa585a65ab61dd3aacdcc/0922%20Glenn%20Hegar%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
The Dallas-based airline has canceled more flights than any other airline during the holidays, prompting federal investigators to ask why. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cbf4fa16a2d96f12b4c15cafa5f0fe58/Austin%20Bergstrom%20Airport%20AI%20TT%2012.jpg)
After more than 92,000 deaths and 8 million reported COVID-19 cases in Texas, the state remains one of less than a dozen still under a statewide disaster or public health emergency. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b98aa6eee5e166950865eeb015205c31/0313%20Abbott%20Statewide%20Emergency%20EG%20TT%2044.jpg)
Texas homeowners have some of the highest property tax bills in the nation, a byproduct of the state’s reliance on such taxes to help pay for public schools and the state’s lack of an income tax. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6b27a728f3a0fbc20fb1697a34a76524/Capitol%20File%20Jan%202022%20JV%20TT%2023)
DPS is asking lawmakers to approve a $467 million active-shooter facility as a “down payment” for the training academy. “You play like you practice,” Director Steve McCraw said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/393ad309323d09b501486045d160e434/Abbott%20Paxton%20MGO%20TT%2004.jpg)
As public debate intensifies over how the state will divvy up billions in new money, community groups that treat children for mental illness fear they’re not a priority. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dbb70d2612a5a459065bb510900300db/EPISD%20Mask%20mandate%20IPA%20TT%201060.JPG)
FTX’s collapse came after customers raced to cash out their deposits when a major competitor questioned its viability and declined to buy the company in a bailout deal. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d314ceabfb3eb64363f7b6851854994d/2022-09-15T124817Z_1921110265_MT1SIPA000XK6FSD_RTRMADP_3_SIPA-USA.jpg)
Republicans continued their 28-year dominance of statewide races but fell short of their hopes for a South Texas congressional sweep. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6ae0ccf8bfe4aecf824ce641b69049b0/1108%20Abbott%20Watch%20Party%20JG%20TT%2004.jpg)
During the campaign, Hegar touted his work on lowering taxes and expanding broadband in Texas, reforming the tax code, reducing regulations on agriculture and pushing for government transparency. Full Story