House Budget Plan Sets Stage for Transportation Funding Debate
Texas House budget writers put the final touches Thursday on a two-year budget that offers a different approach to boosting funding for transportation from the Senate. Full Story
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![State Rep. John Otto (right) proposes a constitutional amendment to use Rainy Day Fund money to pay off state debt during a news conference on Jan. 15, 2015. At left is state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: Price and Rawlings on Property Taxes
At our 3/12 conversation, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings reacted to the possibility of the Legislature engineering a cut in property taxes. Full Story
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Budgetline: A TribCast Series on the Texas Budget
In the first episode of Budgetline, an occasional TribCast series on the Texas budget, Ross and Aman start where state officials started — with the revenue estimate. It sounds simple, but it's a complicated stew of economics, politics and risky forecasting. Full Story
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TribCast: Former Fetuses, Presidential Perry, Undrinkable Water
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks with Ross, Neena and Patrick about Rep. Jonathan Stickland's "Former Fetus" sign, Gov. Rick Perry's presidential ambitions and the Trib's Undrinkable water quality project. Full Story
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Analysis: A Distinctive Push for Business Tax Repeal
As lawmakers debate what kinds of tax cuts they like best, and voters point at property taxes as their favorite, a national conservative group is starting a grassroots campaign to promote repeal of the state's business margins tax. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Analysis: Making the Worst of a Good Situation
Texas legislators have an unfamiliar problem: They have more money available to spend than their self-imposed limits will allow. And it's enough to start debates even where there is broad agreement. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Antony Vance Clicks -
Patrick, Hancock Propose Spending Cap Changes
Senate leaders on Tuesday rolled out more legislation that would change how the state sets its limit on spending for each budget biennium, and let lawmakers pass tax cuts that don't count toward the cap. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside Texas Politics: Mother, May I?
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics with host Jason Whitely, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey, talk turns to spending caps and constitutional amendments. Full Story
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![Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on WFAA's "Inside Texas Politics" on March 8, 2015.]()
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Analysis: Fear of Spending Even Extends to Tax Cuts
Lawmakers want to send voters a tax cut but fear spending the money the cut requires without asking voters for permission. Full Story
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![State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a budget press conference on Jan. 27, 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Patrick: Exempt Tax Cuts, Debt Payments From Spending Cap
Senate leaders joined Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to announce a plan to allow lawmakers to cut property taxes and pay down the state's debt without busting the state’s politically charged spending cap. Full Story
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![Sen. Jane Nelson R-Flower Mound, together with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, hold a press conference on the budget on Jan. 27, 2014.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Senators Show Interest in Ditching Margins Tax
As a key Senate committee prepares to hear public testimony on tax cut proposals Wednesday, senators expressed strong interest in repealing the state's unpopular margins tax on businesses, which has raised $4.7 billion annually. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Paul Hudson -
Analysis: A Desire for Tax Cuts and a Call for Restraint
As state officials rush to announce tax cuts, a former mayor now in the Senate is pleading for a little restraint and a return to pay-as-you-go government. Full Story
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![Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, is congratulated by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, in passing changes to Senate rules on Jan. 21, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Nichols' Car Sales Tax Plan Moves to Senate Floor
The Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday voted 8-1 in favor of a proposal to dedicate some of the sales tax collected on automobile sales to improving roads — but not before several lawmakers expressed reservations. Full Story
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![State Sen. Robert Nichols.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Hegar Suggests Shift in Rainy Day Fund Strategy
Comptroller Glenn Hegar is urging lawmakers to consider allowing his office to invest a portion of the Rainy Day Fund more aggressively, arguing that a greater return is worth the greater risk with the savings account. Full Story
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![State Comptroller Glenn Hegar releases the revenue estimate on Jan. 12, 2015 to reporters and state officials the day before the legislative session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Video: Otto on Tax Relief
At our 2/12 conversation, state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, talked about the prospect of property and business tax relief. Full Story
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Video: Otto on Border Security Funding
At our 2/12 conversation, state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, explained why the House's lower proposed allocation for border security funding is more conservative than the Senate's. Full Story
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Video: A Conversation With John Otto
Full video of my 2/12 conversation with state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the newly appointed chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Full Story
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Patrick, Nichols: Put Car Sales Tax Toward Roads
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, unveiled a plan Wednesday to boost transportation funding by dedicating some of the sales tax already collected on car sales to road work. Full Story
![State Sen. Robert Nichols.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Senators Grill Agency Head Over Contracting Scandal
Senate budget writers on Tuesday described the state's growing contracting scandal as "embarrassing" and "out of control" while the head of an agency at the center of the scandal defended its procurement policies. Full Story
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![State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, at a public hearing at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 20, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Abbott Aide: Maintain Film Incentive Program Funding
While state lawmakers have expressed interest in a widespread curtailing of the state’s economic incentive program, Gov. Greg Abbott is requesting $95 million for the state's film incentive program in the next budget. Full Story
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![Greg Abbott at a Nov. 24, 2014, press event on President Obama's executive action on immigration.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich