Past Contributions

• The Thing at the End

  By Julián Aguilar, Reeve Hamilton, Ceryta Lockett, David Muto and Morgan Smith May 30, 2011

  It simultaneously looks as though they will finish on time and as though they'll come to pieces, forcing a special session. Full Story 

• Liveblog: A Make-or-Break Day for the Budget

  By Ross Ramsey, Emily Ramshaw, Morgan Smith and Jay Root May 29, 2011

  With less than two days left in the legislative session, lawmakers set out to pay for the budget by passing SB 1811. Without it, the budget doesn't balance and lawmakers will be forced to come back in a special session. It passed in the House, but was undone by a Senate filibuster. Full Story 

• 20 Weeks in Which the Budget Held Sway

  By Brandi Grissom, Reeve Hamilton, Ross Ramsey, Emily Ramshaw, Morgan Smith, Julián Aguilar and Kate Galbraith May 29, 2011

  The 82nd Texas Legislature’s regular session ends as it started, with lawmakers arguing about a shrunken state budget and redistricting. Full Story 

• Final Update: What $4 Billion Less Means For Your School District

  By Morgan Smith and Ryan Murphy May 28, 2011

  A school finance plan has at last emerged from talks between budget and education chiefs in the House and Senate. Here's what may be the final update to our searchable database. Full Story 

• Liveblog: Lege Passes Budget Cuts of $15 Billion

  By Ross Ramsey, Emily Ramshaw and Morgan Smith May 28, 2011

  Texas lawmakers passed a two-year state budget on Saturday that cuts $15.2 billion from current spending — most of that in health and human services — but avoids increased taxes and leaves $6.5 billion untouched in the state's Rainy Day Fund. Full Story 

• Updated: A Deal on School Finance, Dewhurst Says

  By Morgan Smith May 27, 2011

  Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said leaders in the House and Senate had agreed on a school finance plan as he left a meeting with education and budget chiefs from both chambers. Full Story 

• Interactive: What $4 Billion Less Could Mean for Your School District

  By Morgan Smith and Ryan Murphy May 26, 2011

  As the Texas House and Senate haggle behind closed doors over a school finance plan we've updated our searchable database to include the latest proposals distributing the $4 billion in state funding cuts. Full Story 

• Once-Stalled Education Bills Live On as Amendments

  By Morgan Smith May 24, 2011

  Legislation on textbook funding approved by the Senate today breathed new life into left-behind education bills, including three languishing charter school measures. Full Story 

• Budget Notes: The Race to Fix School Finance Without a Special Session

  By Morgan Smith, Thanh Tan and Jay Root May 24, 2011

  One day after the education fiscal bill, SB 1581, died on the floor of the House, lawmakers are scrambling to reach a deal and keep the budget bill, HB 1, on track for approval by both chambers before the weekend deadline. The governor is among the optimists who think they'll finish their work without going into overtime. Full Story 

• Senate Approves Loser-Pays Bill

  By Morgan Smith May 24, 2011

  The Senate unanimously passed a major tort reform bill today that would allow courts to grant attorneys' fees to prevailing parties under certain circumstances. Full Story