Analysis: Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C., literally out of sync
Changes in federal policy during the coming Trump administration could mean big changes in state policy in Texas. But it's probably going to take some time. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune -
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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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Analysis: Cutting the Texas Budget, But Only Hypothetically
It’s routine for top state leaders to ask government agencies to tighten their belts, but don’t get the kooky idea that the state budget will shrink. This is just an exercise. Full Story
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State Leaders Ask Agencies to Cut Budgets by 4 Percent
Texas' top elected officials are asking state agencies to scale back their budget requests by 4 percent, seeking to further rein in state spending for the 2018-2019 cycle. Full Story
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![From left: Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are shown on May 21, 2015.]()
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Analysis: No Political Benefit if Voters Can't Feel Property Tax Relief
Texas lawmakers want to get a leash on property taxes, which requires them to restrain local governments. The local governments point to expensive state government mandates that drive up their costs. It's hard to fix blame, or credit. Full Story
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![Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston.]()
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Court OKs Limits on Hazlewood Tuition Program
Texas universities can deny free tuition to veterans who gained state residency only after enlisting in the military, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday, a decision that could ease concerns about a prominent benefit program’s spiraling costs. Full Story
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Analysis: What the Numbers in the Texas Budget Really Mean
Numbers can give you a full accounting of something without telling you what’s really going on, like when lawmakers talk about trimming budgets and saving money while diverting attention from whatever fell on the cutting room floor. Full Story
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![Lauretta Jackson, a physical therapist from Any Baby Can, works with Sara weekly to improve her body strength. Nonprofit therapy providers are worried budget cuts made by lawmakers will put them out of business.]()
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Analysis: An Expense to Texas Taxpayers That Carries No Explanation
Should taxpayers pay severance to state employees to take the sting out of unexpected job losses or to protect the uncovered tails of the elected officeholders who fire them? Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at a press conference in Austin on Jan. 13, 2016.]()
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Video: A Conversation about the State Budget
At our 4/29 symposium on the Texas economy, Ross Ramsey talked about the state budget and spending with state Sens. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, and Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, and state Reps. John Otto, R-Dayton, and Donna Howard, D-Austin. Full Story
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Analysis: Texas Government's Shrinking Financial Buffer
State revenue could easily take some big hits this year — from a sliding oil and gas industry and from a series of potentially adverse court rulings. The message from the top to lawmakers: Don't get too spendy. Full Story
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Credit: Esteban Monclova for The Texas Tribune -
Multiple Lawsuits, Oil Prices Could Spell Budget Doomsday for State
Over four lawsuits, the state is potentially facing billions in legal expenses at a time when stubbornly low oil prices are simultaneously threatening to blunt its coffers. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation with Lozano and Lucio
Full video of my 2/25 conversation with state Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, and state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville. Full Story
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TxDOT Planning $1.3 Billion to Relieve Worst Traffic in Texas Cities
The Texas Transportation Commission is expected to approve a $1.3 billion plan Thursday aimed to funding 14 roadway projects designed to relieve gridlock in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Full Story
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![I-35 tops the 2015 list of the 100 most congested roadways in Texas compiled by the Texas A&M University Texas Transportation Institute.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers Compare Unpopular Driver Surcharge Program to Debtors' Prison
State senators expressed bipartisan disapproval Wednesday of an unpopular program that levies large surcharges on drivers for traffic offenses, with several calling for broad changes or scrapping it entirely. Full Story
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Credit: Callie Richmond for the Texas Tribune -
Video: A Conversation with Glenn Hegar
Full video of my 1/21 conversation with Glenn Hegar, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Topics discussed: oil prices, taxes, jobs and economic incentives. Full Story
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Analysis: Budget Battle Might Seem Boring, But Don't Doubt Its Impact
Some of the most important debates in government and politics are complicated — and boring. That gives the combatants some safety from voters who are preoccupied with battles that are easier to understand. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott is shown in November 2015 proposing reforms against "sanctuary cities" that he wants Texas lawmakers to consider in the 2017 legislative session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Attorney General's Office: Abbott's Budget Vetoes Should Stand
Gov. Greg Abbott was well within his powers when he vetoed more than $200 million in funds approved by the Texas Legislature this year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office wrote in an opinion issued Monday. Full Story
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![Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) speak at a press conference in the Capitol about Sen. Cruz’s Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act of 2015 (S. 2302), in Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 2015.]()
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Analysis: A Mistaken Revenue Forecast With No Instant Consequences
The state comptroller's original forecast on state revenue for 2016-17 was wrong, but the misestimate was inconsequential — at least in the short term. Full Story
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![Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar was interviewed by Texas Monthly Senior Editor Erica Grieder on Oct. 17, 2015.]()
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Video: Dan Patrick at The Texas Tribune Festival
Here's full video of my conversation Friday with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at The Texas Tribune Festival. Full Story
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Patrick Signals Interest in More Tax Cuts in 2017
Following a legislative session in which lawmakers debated whether to cut property taxes, business taxes, sales taxes or a combination of the three, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signaled an interest Wednesday in continuing the conversation. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman