Analysis: How to turn a weak Texas governor’s office into a strong one
Gov. Greg Abbott, continuing a quiet project started by his predecessor, is making his office more powerful — at the Texas Legislature's expense. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gives the keynote speech at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 15, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas just opened the nation's first state-run gold depository. Here's what that means.
Texas lawmakers signed off on building the country's first state-backed gold depository in 2015 after the project was reworked to ensure a private firm would absorb all the costs. Gov. Greg Abbott said at the time that the project would allow Texas to “repatriate” gold from New York. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Comptroller Hegar downplays potential tax benefit of sports gambling in Texas
In this edition of the TribCast, the last before the May 22 primary runoff, Texas Tribune Editor-in-Chief Emily Ramshaw sits down with CEO Evan Smith, Executive Editor Ross Ramsey, political reporter Patrick Svitek and a special guest, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Full Story
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Analysis: Texas is finding a new way to call itself a red state
Glenn Hegar, the state's comptroller of public accounts, is warning lawmakers that Texas' bond ratings are at risk because of a couple of pending expensive problems. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Full Story
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![Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar discusses the sources of state revenue as he presents the Biennial Revenue Estimate at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 9, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Despite sunny economy, Texas budget forecast is dreary
Though unemployment is low and tax revenue is on the rise, big bills coming due for the state’s highways and health care programs are giving Texas lawmakers some heartburn. Full Story
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![Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announces his office has picked a private vendor to run the Texas Bullion Depository, which will be designed to store gold for both the state and private citizens, at the Capitol on June 14, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Hegar: Harvey response will strain Texas budget, shouldn't slow economy
Hurricane Harvey probably won't wallop Texas’ economy in the long run, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. But the state’s response to the storm could ultimately mean a multibillion-dollar hit to the state budget. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Report: Sand miners disturbing threatened West Texas lizard's habitat
An advocacy group’s analysis predicts nearly 10 percent of the dunes sagebrush lizard’s habitat could be disturbed or destroyed by sand mining operations. Full Story
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Analysis: A storm brings distinct changes in the political winds
The physical damage from Hurricane Harvey is relatively easy to spot, assess and catalog. But it’s becoming more evident that the storm also seeped into every corner of government policy and politics. Full Story
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![A school in the Cypress-Fairbanks School District in Houston surrounded by water on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
With two days left in special session, comptroller finds extra $196 million
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Tuesday delivered some welcome news to weary state lawmakers: Their coffers should be richer than he previously anticipated. Full Story
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![State Comptroller Glenn Hegar presents the Biennial Revenue Estimate to waiting legislators, state officials and the press on January 9, 2017. Hegar predicts a tight budget with falling revenue from Texas oil and gas production and sales taxes.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas taps private vendor to manage first state-run gold depository in U.S.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Wednesday that his office had picked an Austin-based company to build and operate the first state-administered gold depository in the country and that it could open as early as January. Full Story
![Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announces his office has picked a private vendor to run the Texas Bullion Depository, which will be designed to store gold for both the state and private citizens, at the Capitol on June 14, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Plan to overhaul Texas Rainy Day Fund and boost returns losing steam
A proposal to dramatically reshape the state’s savings account to set aside more funds for tough economic times has effectively died in the final days of the legislative session. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Axel Alfonshartmann -
Texas House backs Rainy Day Fund overhaul
The Texas House approved legislation Wednesday that would overhaul the way the state stows away money for tough economic times, advancing a proposal championed by Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Full Story
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Analysis: Six weeks left for the Texas Legislature, with lots to fight over
The Texas Legislature's Easter break ends with a sprint. Only six weeks remain between now and the end of this regular legislative session — and most of the 6,000+ bills under consideration are going to die. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Tim Park for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar pitches overhaul of Rainy Day Fund
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar wants to reshape the state's Rainy Day Fund, aiming to get more bang for those stowed-away bucks. Full Story
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Analysis: Texas leaders posturing in public for legislative advantage
Texas state leaders are debating several important issues in a very public way, delivering their messages to one another through rallies, press conferences, trade association meetings and the media. Get your popcorn ready. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a rally at the Capitol for school choice January 24, 2017. Both Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick spoke in favor of expanding school choice options. Students, educators, activists and parents marched on the south lawn to show their support for expanding school choice options during National School Choice Week.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Hegar gives lawmakers dour revenue estimate for 2017 session
Facing sluggish economic forecasts, Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Monday that lawmakers will have $104.87 billion in state funds at their disposal in crafting the next two-year budget, a 2.7 percent decrease from the last session two years ago. Full Story
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![Ahead of the start of the 85th Legislature, state Comptroller Glenn Hegar offers lawmakers the revenue estimate for the biennial budget.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas loses tax lawsuit, but not the way officials feared
The state of Texas lost a lawsuit over business franchise taxes on Friday, but lost the way officials had hoped — without a significant change in an arcane accounting definition that could have cost billions. Full Story
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![Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is interviewed by Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith on Jan. 21, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/ Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Expect some clouds in Monday’s Texas budget forecast
The Legislature goes to Austin on Tuesday, but lawmakers will find out a day before that what kind of budget they're going to write. Spoiler alert: Money is tight. Full Story
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Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas lawmakers set a spending cap they likely won't reach
The Legislative Budget Board picked 8 percent as the growth rate in the state’s two-year budget, capping how much lawmakers can spend in next year's legislative session. Lawmakers say the state doesn't have enough money to reach that cap. Full Story
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UT/TT Poll: Bathrooms, the Constitution and other hot Texas issues
A slight majority of Texas voters — and an overwhelming majority of Republican voters — think transgender people should use the restrooms that match their birth gender, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht