CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html>     <html class="no-js">  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=7YQSqjSh" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/","20150321155424","https://web.archive.org/","web","https://web-static.archive.org/_static/", "1426953264"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=p7PEIJWi" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <script type="text/javascript">window.NREUM||(NREUM={}),__nr_require=function(n,e,t){function r(t){if(!e[t]){var o=e[t]={exports:{}};n[t][0].call(o.exports,function(e){var o=n[t][1][e];return r(o?o:e)},o,o.exports)}return e[t].exports}if("function"==typeof __nr_require)return __nr_require;for(var o=0;o<t.length;o++)r(t[o]);return r}({QJf3ax:[function(n,e){function t(n){function e(e,t,a){n&&n(e,t,a),a||(a={});for(var u=c(e),f=u.length,s=i(a,o,r),p=0;f>p;p++)u[p].apply(s,t);return s}function a(n,e){f[n]=c(n).concat(e)}function c(n){return f[n]||[]}function u(){return t(e)}var f={};return{on:a,emit:e,create:u,listeners:c,_events:f}}function r(){return{}}var o="nr@context",i=n("gos");e.exports=t()},{gos:"7eSDFh"}],ee:[function(n,e){e.exports=n("QJf3ax")},{}],3:[function(n,e){function t(n){return function(){r(n,[(new Date).getTime()].concat(i(arguments)))}}var r=n("handle"),o=n(1),i=n(2);"undefined"==typeof window.newrelic&&(newrelic=window.NREUM);var a=["setPageViewName","addPageAction","setCustomAttribute","finished","addToTrace","inlineHit","noticeError"];o(a,function(n,e){window.NREUM[e]=t("api-"+e)}),e.exports=window.NREUM},{1:12,2:13,handle:"D5DuLP"}],"7eSDFh":[function(n,e){function t(n,e,t){if(r.call(n,e))return n[e];var o=t();if(Object.defineProperty&&Object.keys)try{return Object.defineProperty(n,e,{value:o,writable:!0,enumerable:!1}),o}catch(i){}return n[e]=o,o}var r=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;e.exports=t},{}],gos:[function(n,e){e.exports=n("7eSDFh")},{}],handle:[function(n,e){e.exports=n("D5DuLP")},{}],D5DuLP:[function(n,e){function t(n,e,t){return r.listeners(n).length?r.emit(n,e,t):(o[n]||(o[n]=[]),void o[n].push(e))}var r=n("ee").create(),o={};e.exports=t,t.ee=r,r.q=o},{ee:"QJf3ax"}],id:[function(n,e){e.exports=n("XL7HBI")},{}],XL7HBI:[function(n,e){function t(n){var e=typeof n;return!n||"object"!==e&&"function"!==e?-1:n===window?0:i(n,o,function(){return r++})}var r=1,o="nr@id",i=n("gos");e.exports=t},{gos:"7eSDFh"}],G9z0Bl:[function(n,e){function t(){var n=h.info=NREUM.info;if(n&&n.licenseKey&&n.applicationID&&f&&f.body){c(l,function(e,t){e in n||(n[e]=t)}),h.proto="https"===d.split(":")[0]||n.sslForHttp?"https://":"http://",a("mark",["onload",i()]);var e=f.createElement("script");e.src=h.proto+n.agent,f.body.appendChild(e)}}function r(){"complete"===f.readyState&&o()}function o(){a("mark",["domContent",i()])}function i(){return(new Date).getTime()}var a=n("handle"),c=n(1),u=(n(2),window),f=u.document,s="addEventListener",p="attachEvent",d=(""+location).split("?")[0],l={beacon:"bam.nr-data.net",errorBeacon:"bam.nr-data.net",agent:"js-agent.newrelic.com/nr-627.min.js"},h=e.exports={offset:i(),origin:d,features:{}};f[s]?(f[s]("DOMContentLoaded",o,!1),u[s]("load",t,!1)):(f[p]("onreadystatechange",r),u[p]("onload",t)),a("mark",["firstbyte",i()])},{1:12,2:3,handle:"D5DuLP"}],loader:[function(n,e){e.exports=n("G9z0Bl")},{}],12:[function(n,e){function t(n,e){var t=[],o="",i=0;for(o in n)r.call(n,o)&&(t[i]=e(o,n[o]),i+=1);return t}var r=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;e.exports=t},{}],13:[function(n,e){function t(n,e,t){e||(e=0),"undefined"==typeof t&&(t=n?n.length:0);for(var r=-1,o=t-e||0,i=Array(0>o?0:o);++r<o;)i[r]=n[e+r];return i}e.exports=t},{}]},{},["G9z0Bl"]);</script> <title>The Brief: UT/TT Poll Asks Voters to Sound Off on Taxes and Roads | The Texas Tribune</title> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/favicon.ico"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="description" content="Texans in this month's University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll made clear that the property tax is their least favorite. The only other tax to be disliked by voters more than it is liked is the business margins tax."/> <meta name="keywords" content=""/> <meta property="twitter:card" content="photo"/> <meta property="twitter:site" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta property="twitter:title" content="The Brief: Feb. 25, 2015, by John Reynolds"/> <meta property="twitter:description" content="Texans in this month's University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll made clear that the property tax is their least favorite. The only other tax to be disliked by voters more than it is liked is the business margins tax."/> <meta property="twitter:image" content="https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/NoNewTaxes_jpg_407x1000_q100.jpg"> <meta name="parsely-title" content="The Brief: Feb. 25, 2015"/> <meta name="parsely-link" content="http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/"/> <meta name="parsely-pub-date" content="Feb. 25, 2015, 5:59 a.m."/> <meta name="parsely-author" content="John Reynolds"/> <meta name="parsely-section" content="FRONT PAGE, GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, Public Education, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT"/> <meta property="parsely-image-url" content="https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/NoNewTaxes_jpg_407x1000_q100.jpg"> <meta name="parsely-type" content="post"/> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="154122474650943"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/"/> <meta property="twitter:url" content="http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/"/> <meta property="og:title" content="The Brief: Feb. 25, 2015, by John Reynolds"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Texans in this month's University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll made clear that the property tax is their least favorite. The only other tax to be disliked by voters more than it is liked is the business margins tax."/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/NoNewTaxes_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg"/>  <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424js_/http://use.typekit.com/brb4jmm.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript">try{Typekit.load();}catch(e){}</script> <link href="https://plus.google.com/116406259333166116089/" rel="publisher"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424cs_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/COMPRESSED/css/2c1c9bbe6a0c.css" type="text/css"/>  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424cs_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/css/story_base.css"> <script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-9827490-1', 'texastribune.org'); ga('require', 'displayfeatures'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <script>// var tt = tt || {}; tt.debug = false; tt.media_url = 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/'; tt.facebook = {appId: '154122474650943'}; // Doubleclick integration tt.ads = { // targeting: {}, // addTarget: function(key, value) { if (typeof key === 'undefined'){ // get all attrs return tt.ads.targeting; } else { // set attr tt.ads.targeting[key] = value; } } }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424js_/http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.7.2/jquery.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery || document.write('<script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/jquery/1.7.2/jquery.min.js"><\/script>')</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424js_/http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.8.18/jquery-ui.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery.ui || document.write('<script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/jqueryui/jquery-ui-1.8.18.min.js"><\/script>')</script> <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424js_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/modernizr/modernizr.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> var tt = tt || {}; tt.currentPage = tt.currentPage || {}; var shortenedHash = '1LEzi6Y'; tt.currentPage.canonicalUrl = '/2015/02/25/brief/'; var authorTwitterAccounts = ['']; tt.currentPage.authors = [ "John Reynolds" ]; tt.currentPage.authorsText = "John Reynolds"; tt.currentPage.sections = [ "article" ]; tt.currentPage.sections.push("FRONT PAGE"); tt.currentPage.sections.push("GOVERNMENT"); tt.currentPage.sections.push("POLITICS"); tt.currentPage.sections.push("Public Education"); tt.currentPage.sections.push("ENERGY \u0026 ENVIRONMENT"); </script> </head> <body class="story responsive"> <script type="text/javascript"> var _qevents = _qevents || []; (function() { var elem = document.createElement('script'); elem.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/https://secure" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://edge") + ".quantserve.com/quant.js"; elem.async = true; elem.type = "text/javascript"; var scpt = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; scpt.parentNode.insertBefore(elem, scpt); })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript">var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime()</script> <div class="wrapper-r"> <div id="site_roofline" style="position:relative;"> <div class="hide-for-mobile large_ad_container"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline1_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline2_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline3_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline4_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> </div> <div class="mobile-only"> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline1_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline2_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline3_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline4_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> </div> </div> <div id="greeting"> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/register/" title="Register for your free Texas Tribune account">Register</a> </li> <li class="last"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/login/?next=">Login</a> <script> (function(){ var allScripts = document.getElementsByTagName('script'), currentScript = allScripts[allScripts.length - 1], node = currentScript; while (node = node.previousSibling) { if (node.nodeName == "A"){ node.href += document.location.pathname; break; } }; })(); </script> </li> </ul> </div> <header id="site_header"> <nav class="navbar primary"> <ul> <li class="hide-for-mobile navbar-search"> <form method="get" action="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/search/"> <input id="site_search_q" name="q" type="text" value="" placeholder="Search..."> <button type="submit" aria-label="Submit"><i class="icon-search"></i></button> </form> </li> <li class="active hide-for-mobile dropdown-toggle"> <a class="dropdown-toggle" href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/"> Front Page </a> <div class="mega-dropdown grid" id="sections"> <div class="cell w-3 tab_nav_cell"> <ul id="sidemenu" class="tab-nav"> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/" data-section="economy"> Economy </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/education/" data-section="education"> Education </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/" data-section="energy-and-environment"> Energy & Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/government/" data-section="government"> Government </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/health-and-human-services/" data-section="health-and-human-services"> Health & Human Services </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/law-and-order/" data-section="law-and-order"> Law & Order </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/people/" data-section="people"> People </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/" data-section="politics"> Politics </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/race-and-immigration/" data-section="race-and-immigration"> Race & Immigration </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/transportation/" data-section="transportation"> Transportation </a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="sections-tab-container" class="cell w-9 tab_container" data-content-resource="/esi/components/megadropdown/"> <div style="padding: 1em; font-family: 'LeagueGothicRegular'; font-size:2.1em; color: #999; ">Loading...</div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/"> Data </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://txlege.texastribune.org/" title="84th Lege Session landing page"> 84th Lege </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/"> Directory </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/events/"> Events </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile dropdown-toggle"> <a class="multimedia" href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"> Multimedia </a> <ul class="dropdown"> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/livestream/">Livestream</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile dropdown-toggle"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/subscribe/"> Subscriptions </a> <ul class="dropdown"> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/the-brief/">The Brief</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-weekly/">Texas Weekly</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/edu/">Trib+Edu</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/health/">Trib+Health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">Trib+Water</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.tribtalk.org/"> TribTalk </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribinvestigates/" title="Trib Investigates"> Investigations </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2016/" title="2016 Presidential Elections"> 2016 </a> </li> <li class="mobile-only active dropdown-toggle"> <a href="#"> Menu<i class="icon-caret-down"></i> </a> <ul class="mobile-dropdown"> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/">Front Page</a> </li> <li> <a class="data" href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/">Data</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://txlege.texastribune.org/" title="84th Lege Session landing page"> 84th Lege </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/">Directory</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/events/">Events</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/">Multimedia</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/livestream/">Livestream</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/the-brief/">The Brief</a></li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-weekly/">Texas Weekly</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/edu/">Trib+Edu</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/health/">Trib+Health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">Trib+Water</a></li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.tribtalk.org/">TribTalk</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribinvestigates/" title="Trib Investigates"> Investigations </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2016/" title="2016 Presidential Elections"> 2016 </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-only dropdown-toggle"> <a href="#"> Sections<i class="icon-caret-down"></i> </a> <ul class="mobile-dropdown"> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/" data-section="economy"> Economy </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/education/" data-section="education"> Education </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/" data-section="energy-and-environment"> Energy & Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/government/" data-section="government"> Government </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/health-and-human-services/" data-section="health-and-human-services"> Health & Human Services </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/law-and-order/" data-section="law-and-order"> Law & Order </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/people/" data-section="people"> People </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/" data-section="politics"> Politics </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/race-and-immigration/" data-section="race-and-immigration"> Race & Immigration </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/transportation/" data-section="transportation"> Transportation </a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-only dropdown-toggle"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/search/"><i class="icon-search"></i></a> <div class="mobile-dropdown mobile-search"> <form method="get" action="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/search/"> <input name="q" type="text" value="" placeholder="SEARCH"> <button type="search" alt="Do Search"> <i class="icon-search"></i> </button> </form> </div> </li> <li class="mobile-only active" id="mobi_join"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/join/"> Support Us </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="ad last"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/join/" title="Contribute Today" style="display: block; padding-top: .5em"> <div style="background:url(//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/membership/TT-supportus-flag.png) no-repeat; width: 120px; height:60px; background-size: 120px 60px;"></div> </a> </div> <div class="below_nav"> <h1 id="logo"><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/logo.png" width="453" height="50" alt="The Texas Tribune"></a></h1> <time datetime="2015-03-21T10:54:25.464179">Saturday, March 21, 2015</time> </div> </header> </div> <div class="wrapper content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content "> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <article class="last"> <header> <h1>The Brief: UT/TT Poll Asks Voters to Sound Off on Taxes and Roads</h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/" rel="author">John Reynolds</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 25 Feb 2015 05:59:00 -0600" title="2015-02-25 05:59"> Feb. 25, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/comments/"><span class="value">9</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <aside> <ul class="social_links"> <li class="comment"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/comments/" title=""> <i class="icon-comments-alt"></i> <span>Comment</span> </a> </li> <li class="republish"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/content/republish/82592/"> <i class="icon-share"></i> <span>Republish</span> </a> </li> <li class="email"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ba85c9cfd8d0dfd9ce87eed2df9f888aeedfc2dbc99f888aeec8d3d8cfd4df809f888aeed2df9f888af8c8d3dfdc9f89fb9f888afcdfd8949f888a888f9f88f99f88X02015&body=I%20read an article%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune:%20The%20Brief%3A%20Feb.%2025%2C%202015%2C%20by%20John Reynolds.%20http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/%0DTexans%20in%20this%20month%27s%20University%20of%20Texas/Texas%20Tribune%20Poll%20made%20clear%20that%20the%20property%20tax%20is%20their%20least%20favorite.%20The%20only%20other%20tax%20to%20be%20disliked%20by%20voters%20more%20than%20it%20is%20liked%20is%20the%20business%20margins%20tax." title="" class="email"> <i class="icon-envelope"></i> <span>Email</span> </a> </li> <li class="twitter"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://twitter.com/share?text=The Brief: UT/TT Poll Asks Voters to Sound Off on Taxes and Roads&url=http://trib.it/1LEzi6Y&via=TexasTribune&related=TexasTribune,TribData"> <i class="icon-twitter"></i> <span>Tweet</span> </a> </li> <li class="facebook"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/"> <i class="icon-facebook"></i> <span>Recommend</span> </a> </li> </ul> </aside> <div class="content"> <div class="media article_detail unprose"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/NoNewTaxes_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/NoNewTaxes_jpg_312x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/NoNewTaxes_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <h2>The Big Conversation</h2> <p>Texans in this month's University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll made clear that the property tax is their least favorite tax. The only other tax to be disliked by voters more than it is liked is the business margins tax.</p> <p>"The results suggest the rationale behind legislative efforts to cut those taxes, like one <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/texas-senate-leaders-propose-46-billion-tax-breaks/">announced</a> Tuesday by state Senate leaders who want to reduce revenue from those two taxes by a combined $4.6 billion," <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/uttt-poll-voters-vexed-property-taxes/">wrote</a> the Tribune's <strong>Ross Ramsey</strong>. "Asked how they feel about the amount of various state and local taxes in Texas, 54 percent said they are dissatisfied with property taxes — and only 33 percent said they were satisfied about those bills."</p> <div class="media article_detail float_right unprose"><a class="lightbox" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/UT-TT-Polls-02232015.025.jpg"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/UT-TT-Polls-02232015.025.jpg" alt="" width="312"/></a> <div class="photo_links"><a class="lightbox enlarge" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/UT-TT-Polls-02232015.025.jpg">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by Todd Wiseman</cite></div> <div class="photo_caption">.</div> </div> <p>That contrasts significantly with perceptions of the sales tax, where 57 percent were satisfied and 34 percent were dissatisfied. Voters were also markedly more satisfied than dissatisfied with taxes on alcohol and tobacco as well as on motor fuels.</p> <p>Not surprising was the finding that three-fourths of voters thought traffic congestion is a serious problem.</p> <p>Where it gets interesting is how voters assign blame for traffic being as bad as it is.</p><div class="ad_container ad_container--adify"> <div class="ad adunit mobile tablet standard" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_InsideStory_468x60"> </div> </div> <div class="media article_detail float_left unprose"><a class="lightbox" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/UT-TT-Polls-02232015.026.jpg"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/UT-TT-Polls-02232015.026.jpg" alt="" width="312"/></a> <div class="photo_links"><a class="lightbox enlarge" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/UT-TT-Polls-02232015.026.jpg">Enlarge</a> <cite>graphic by Todd Wiseman</cite></div> <div class="photo_caption">.</div> </div> <p>Ramsey <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/uttt-poll-voters-vexed-property-taxes/">wrote</a>, "Most — 71 percent — blame their area’s congestion on people wanting to live and work there, and 67 percent attribute it to economic growth ... <span>Voters were less likely to blame policy decisions. Just over half agreed that insufficient spending on road maintenance adds to congestion; 48 percent said insufficient spending on new roads adds to the problem; and 42 percent agreed that insufficient spending on public transportation is a factor."</span></p> <p><i>Disclosure: UT-Austin is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. <em>A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed </em></i><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/support-us/donors-and-members/"><i>here</i></a><em>.</em></p> <h2>The Day Ahead</h2> <p><strong>•    </strong><span>The House convenes at 10 a.m.; the Senate convenes at 11 a.m.</span></p> <p><strong>•    </strong>House Appropriations meets at 7:30 a.m. to consider budget recommendations dealing with the judiciary (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/schedules/pdf/C0302015022507301.PDF">E1.030</a>). Appropriations subcommittees meet afterward — on adjournment of HAC, <span>Article III (</span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/schedules/pdf/C0122015022500001.PDF">E1.030</a><span>);  on final adjournment, <span>Articles I, IV & V (</span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/schedules/pdf/C0132015022500001.PDF">E1.018</a><span>); at 11 a.m. or on final adjournment, <span>Article II (</span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/schedules/pdf/C0102015022511001.PDF">JHR 131</a><span>); and at 1:30 p.m. or on final adjournment, <span>Articles VI, VII & VIII (</span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/schedules/pdf/C0142015022513301.PDF">JHR 100</a><span>).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><strong>•    </strong>House Government Transparency & Operation meets at 2 p.m. or on final adjournment where cooperative contracts will be discussed with the Department of Information Resources, the Legislative Budget Board and the State Auditor's Office (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/schedules/pdf/C2852015022514001.PDF">E1.014</a>).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><strong>•    </strong>Senate Finance meets at 9 a.m. to consider the state's regulatory agencies, including the Racing Commission, the Department of Insurance, the Public Utility Commission and the Texas Medical Board (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/schedules/pdf/C5402015022509001.PDF">E1.036</a>).</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><strong>•    </strong>Senate Transportation meets at 8 a.m. to hear Chairman <strong>Robert Nichols</strong>' proposed constitutional amendment and legislation dedicating a portion of the motor vehicle sale tax to building roads (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/schedules/pdf/C6402015022508001.PDF">E1.016</a>)</span></span></p> <h2>Trib Must-Reads</h2> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://trib.it/1w9HNxW">Lawmakers Want Property Tax Cut Folks Notice</a>, by <strong>Aman Batheja</strong></p><div class="ad_container ad_container--adify"> <div class="ad adunit mobile tablet standard" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_InsideStory2_468x60"> </div> </div> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://trib.it/1BO14fw">Lawmakers Push "Right to Try" Experimental Drugs</a>, by <strong>Edgar Walters</strong></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://trib.it/1BnNTSP">No Agency Tasked with Enforcing Perry's E-Verify Order</a>, by <strong>Julián Aguilar</strong></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://trib.it/1ENRUxe">Education Chair Defends High School Graduation Rates</a>, by <span><strong>Eva Hershaw</strong> and <strong>Morgan Smith</strong></span></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://trib.it/1AHKsmp">Lobby Firm Helped Draft GOP Letter to Racing Commission</a>, by <strong>Jay Root</strong></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://trib.it/1w8JYlm">Abbott, Senate Leaders Tout Road Funding Plans</a>, by <span><strong>Ryan McCrimmon</strong> and <strong>Aman Batheja</strong></span></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://trib.it/1BOmjxP">Despite Low Prices, Texas Oil Group Stays Optimistic</a>, by <strong>Jim Malewitz</strong></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://trib.it/1w8j7Wk">Campbell Faces Skepticism of Alamo Protection Proposal</a>, by <strong>Eva Hershaw</strong></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://trib.it/1ApTmX5">After 24 Years, Van de Putte Bids Farewell</a>, by <strong>Alexa Ura</strong></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://trib.it/1BNW8Y2">Texas Senate Leaders Propose $4.6 Billion in Tax Breaks</a>, by <strong>Morgan Smith</strong></p> <h2>Elsewhere</h2> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Border-surge-harming-crime-fighting-in-other-6099660.php?t=52bd534d4029895b84&cmpid=twitter-premium">Border surge harming crime fighting in other parts of Texas, internal report finds</a>, <em>Houston Chronicle</em></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/25/us/american-sniper-trial-jury-finds-ex-marine-guilty-of-murder.html?_r=1">‘American Sniper’ Jury Finds Ex-Marine Guilty of Murder</a>, <em>The New York Times</em></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Tensions-rise-on-the-picket-line-as-strike-6099488.php">Tensions rise on the picket line as strike continues</a>, <em>Houston Chronicle</em></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/dan-patrick-protect-marriage-oppose-abortion/nkH9K/#44084709.3630233.735653">Dan Patrick: Protect marriage, oppose abortion</a>, <em>Austin American-Statesman</em></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/President-vetoes-Keystone-XL-legislation-fight-6099390.php">President vetoes Keystone XL legislation, and the fight goes on</a>, <em>Houston Chronicle</em></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20150224-deep-cuts-could-be-on-table-as-congress-re-evaluates-food-stamp-program.ece">Deep cuts could be on table as Congress re-evaluates food stamp program</a>, <em>The Dallas Morning News</em></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article11066168.html">Time to fast-forward Texas election laws?</a>, <em>Fort Worth Star-Telegram</em></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/national-politics/20150224-top-texas-gop-fundraiser-says-hell-back-cruz-white-house-run.ece">Top Texas GOP fundraiser says he’ll back Cruz White House run</a>, <em>The Dallas Morning News</em></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-gop-leader-is-seeking-a-way-out-of-homeland-security-funding-impasse/2015/02/24/81281f7a-bc29-11e4-8668-4e7ba8439ca6_story.html?hpid=z1">McConnell plan moves Senate closer to deal on DHS funding, but House support unclear</a>, <em>Washington Post</em></p> <h2>Quote to Note</h2> <p>“Dios y Tejas. It has been an honor to serve with you for the people of this great state.”</p> <p>— State Sen. <strong>Leticia Van de Putte</strong>, D-San Antonio, in saying goodbye to her colleagues. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/van-de-putte-bids-farewell-to-senate/">Tuesday was her last day in the chamber</a>, closing a 24-year legislative career.</p> <h2>Today in TribTalk</h2> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.tribtalk.org/2015/02/24/honor-the-dignity-of-the-workers-who-build-texas/">Honor the dignity of the workers who build Texas</a>, by <strong>Emily Timm</strong></p> <h2>Trib Events for the Calendar</h2> <p><strong>•    </strong><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/events/2015/feb/27/immigration-the-next-five-years/">Immigration: The Next Five Years</a> on Feb. 27 at at the University of Texas at Brownsville</p> <p><strong>•    </strong>A Conversation With State <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/events/2015/mar/05/a-conversation-with-sen-kel-seliger-and-rep-john-zerwas/">Sen. Kel Seliger and State Rep. John Zerwas</a> on March 5 at the Austin Club</p> <p><strong>•    </strong><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/events/2015/mar/10/on-the-road-a-symposium-on-water/">On the Road: A Symposium on Water</a> on March 10 at Texas State University in San Marcos</p> <p><strong>•    </strong>Meet the Mayors: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/events/2015/mar/12/meet-the-mayors-rawlings-and-price/">Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price</a> on March 12 at The Austin Club</p> <p><strong>•    </strong>A Conversation With UT-Austin Dell Medical School Dean <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/events/2015/mar/26/a-conversation-with-ut-austins-dell-medical-school-dean-clay-johnston/">Clay Johnston</a> on March 26 at The Austin Club</p> </div> <aside> <ul class="social_links"> <li class="comment"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/comments/" title=""> <i class="icon-comments-alt"></i> <span>Comment</span> </a> </li> <li class="republish"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/content/republish/82592/"> <i class="icon-share"></i> <span>Republish</span> </a> </li> <li class="email"> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9aa5e9eff8f0fff9eea7cef2ffbfa8aaceffe2fbe9bfa8aacee8f3f8eff4ffa0bfa8aacef2ffbfa8aad8e8f3fffcbfa9dbbfa8aadcfff8b4bfa8aaa8afbfa8d9bfa8X02015&body=I%20read an article%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune:%20The%20Brief%3A%20Feb.%2025%2C%202015%2C%20by%20John Reynolds.%20http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/%0DTexans%20in%20this%20month%27s%20University%20of%20Texas/Texas%20Tribune%20Poll%20made%20clear%20that%20the%20property%20tax%20is%20their%20least%20favorite.%20The%20only%20other%20tax%20to%20be%20disliked%20by%20voters%20more%20than%20it%20is%20liked%20is%20the%20business%20margins%20tax." title="" class="email"> <i class="icon-envelope"></i> <span>Email</span> </a> </li> <li class="twitter"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://twitter.com/share?text=The Brief: UT/TT Poll Asks Voters to Sound Off on Taxes and Roads&url=http://trib.it/1LEzi6Y&via=TexasTribune&related=TexasTribune,TribData"> <i class="icon-twitter"></i> <span>Tweet</span> </a> </li> <li class="facebook"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/brief/"> <i class="icon-facebook"></i> <span>Recommend</span> </a> </li> </ul> </aside> <footer> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-6"> <aside class="sidebar_block related content_list"> <header> <h2>Related Content</h2> </header> <p class="help">No related articles found</p> </aside> </div> <div class="cell w-6"> <aside class="sidebar_block related"> <header> <h2>Related Tribpedia</h2> </header> <ul class="related topics indent sans-serif"> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/jimmie-don-aycock/">Jimmie Don Aycock</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/robert-nichols/">Robert Nichols</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/ted-cruz/">Ted Cruz</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/leticia-van-de-putte/">Leticia Van De Putte</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/joan-huffman/">Joan Huffman</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/mike-conaway/">Mike Conaway</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/the-brief/">The Brief</a> </li> </ul> </aside> </div> </div> </footer> </article> <nav class="back_to_top"> <a href="#"><i class="icon-arrow-up"></i> Back To Top</a> </nav> </div> <div class=" rail cell w-4 hide-for-medium-down"> <section class="trib_newsletter"> <form action="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://texastribune.us3.list-manage2.com/subscribe/post?u=3d0ce87edeeb6df90043897db&id=68501b81bf" method="post" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" target="_blank" novalidate> <header> <h2>Sign Up for The Brief</h2> </header> <p>Our daily news summary</p> <div class="mc-field-group nowrap"> <input type="email" value="" name="EMAIL" class="input_neue required email" id="mce-EMAIL" placeholder="enter your email here"> <input type="submit" value="Submit" name="subscribe" id="mc-embedded-subscribe" class="btn_neue"> </div> <div style="position: absolute; left: -5000px;"><input type="text" name="b_3d0ce87edeeb6df90043897db_68501b81bf" tabindex="-1" value=""></div> </form> </section> <section class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_ATF_RightRail1_MediumRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </section> <section class="sidebar_block content_list"> <header> <h1>New on the Trib</h1> </header> <dl> <dt> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/21/more-eighth-graders-get-degree-increase-small/">More Texans Earning Degrees, but Progress is Slow</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/bobby-blanchard/">Bobby Blanchard</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 21 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-21 06:00"> March 21, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/21/more-eighth-graders-get-degree-increase-small/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/education/public-education/8th-grade-cohorts/">Our Updated Higher Education Outcomes Explorer</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 21 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-21 06:00"> March 21, 2015 </time></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/21/gay-rights-activists-find-unlikely-ally-republican/">Gay Rights Activists Find Unlikely Ally in Republican</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 21 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-21 06:00"> March 21, 2015 </time></li></ul> </dd> <dt> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/21/tribweek-top-texas-news-week-31615/">TribWeek: Top Texas News for the Week of 3/16/15</a> </dt> <dd> <ul class="meta short separator relative-time"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 21 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-21 06:00"> March 21, 2015 </time></li></ul> </dd> </dl> </section> <section class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_BTF_RightRail2_MediumRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </section> <aside id="the_most" class="featurebox "> <header class="featurebox-header"> <h1><span>The</span>Most</h1> </header> <div class="featurebox-content tabs ui-tabs"> <ul class="ui-tabs-nav"> <li class="most_shared"> <a href="#most_shared">Shared</a> </li> <li class="most_viewed"> <a href="#most_viewed">Viewed</a> </li> <li class="most_commented"> <a href="#most_commented">Commented</a> </li> </ul> <div id="most_shared" class="ui-tabs-panel"> <div class="fb_like_box"> <fb:recommendations site="texastribune.org" data-action="like" width="310" height="260" header="false" border_color="#fff"></fb:recommendations> </div> </div> <div id="most_viewed" class="ui-tabs-panel ui-tabs-hide"> <ol> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/georgetown-goes-all-renewable-energy/">Georgetown Goes All In on Renewable Energy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/20/sid-miller-clashes-legislature-over-budget/">Sid Miller Clashes With Legislature Over Budget</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/texas-considers-parent-trigger-law/">Texas Lawmakers Consider "Parent Trigger" Schools Law</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/16/texas-senate-considers-key-gun-bill/">Texas Senate Approves Open Carry of Handguns</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/after-scandal-lawmakers-change-gears-health-agency/">Post-Scandal, Lawmakers Changing Gears on Health Agency</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/campus-carry-debate-hits-senate-floor/">Campus Carry Gets Initial OK in Senate</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/20/rural-hospitals-struggle-keep-their-doors-open/">Rural Hospitals Struggle to Keep Their Doors Open</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/cruz-wants-upend-laws-contraception-gay-rights/">Cruz Wants to Upend Laws on Contraception, Gay Rights</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/houstons-annise-parker-ponders-her-political-futur/">Houston鈥檚 Annise Parker Ponders Her Political Future</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/20/analysis-uncertainty-governors-maiden-voyage/">Analysis: Uncertainty in Gov. Abbott's First Session</a> </li> </ol> </div> <div id="most_commented" class="ui-tabs-panel ui-tabs-hide"> <ol> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/campus-carry-debate-hits-senate-floor/">Campus Carry Gets Initial OK in Texas Senate</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/ag-paxton-sues-feds-over-benefits-same-sex-couples/">Texas Sues Feds Over Benefits for Same-Sex Couples</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/bill-would-prohibit-doctors-asking-about-guns/">Bill Would Bar Doctors From Asking About Guns</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/19/texas-considers-parent-trigger-law/">Texas Lawmakers Consider "Parent Trigger" Law</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/georgetown-goes-all-renewable-energy/">Texas Town Goes All In on Renewable Energy</a> </li> </ol> </div> </div> <footer class="clearfix featurebox-footer"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="200x38" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_TheMostWidget_Bottom_Text_200x38"> </div> </footer> </aside> <section class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_BTF_RightRail3_MediumRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wrapper-r"> <footer id="site_footer" class="wrapper-r"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryLanding_BTF_Footer_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> </div> <div id="footer" class="grid"> <dl id="staff_writers" class="cell w-3"> <dt>Writers</dt> <div class="cell w-6"> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/">Becca Aaronson</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/christine-ayala/">Christine Ayala</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/bobby-blanchard/">Bobby Blanchard</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/annie-daniel/">Annie Daniel</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rodney-gibbs/">Rodney Gibbs</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eva-hershaw/">Eva Hershaw</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/john-jordan/">John Jordan</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/terri-langford/">Terri Langford</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/abby-livingston/">Abby Livingston</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/corrie-maclaggan/">Corrie MacLaggan</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jolie-mccullough/">Jolie McCullough</a> </dd> </div> <div class="cell w-6"> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayan-mittra/">Ayan Mittra</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/david-muto/">David Muto</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/david-pasztor/">David Pasztor</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/emily-ramshaw/">Emily Ramshaw</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rocha-alana/">Alana Rocha</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/">Patrick Svitek</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/edgar-walters/">Edgar Walters</a> </dd> </div> </dl> <div id="footer_topics" class="cell w-3"> <h6>Sections</h6> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/" data-section="economy"> Economy </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/education/" data-section="education"> Education </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/" data-section="energy-and-environment"> Energy & Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/government/" data-section="government"> Government </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/health-and-human-services/" data-section="health-and-human-services"> Health & Human Services </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/law-and-order/" data-section="law-and-order"> Law & Order </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/people/" data-section="people"> People </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/" data-section="politics"> Politics </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/race-and-immigration/" data-section="race-and-immigration"> Race & Immigration </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/transportation/" data-section="transportation"> Transportation </a></li> </ul> </div> <dl id="offsite_outlets" class="cell w-3"> <dt>TT Social Media</dt> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://facebook.com/texastribune" title="Facebook" class="external"><span class="favicon facebook"></span>Facebook</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://twitter.com/texastribune" title="Twitter" class="external"><span class="favicon twitter"></span>Twitter</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://youtube.com/user/thetexastribune" title="YouTube" class="external"><span class="favicon youtube"></span>YouTube</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://instagram.com/texas_tribune" title="Instagram" class="external"><span class="favicon instagram"></span>Instagram</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-tribune" title="LinkedIn" class="external"><span class="favicon linkedin"></span>LinkedIn</a> </dd> <dd class="hidden"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/https://plus.google.com/116406259333166116089" class="external" rel="publisher">Google+</a> </dd> </dl> <ul id="footer_nav" class="cell w-3"> <li>© 2015 The Texas Tribune</li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/about/" title="About Us">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/support-us/donors-and-members/" title="Who Funds Us?">Who Funds Us?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/terms-of-service/" title="Terms of Service">Terms of Service</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/ethics/" title="Code of Ethics">Code of Ethics</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/privacy/" title="Privacy Policy">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/contact/" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/corrections/" title="Corrections">Corrections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/feeds/" title="Feeds">Feeds</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/mobile/" title="Mobile">Mobile</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/advertise/" class="advertise">Advertise</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/signup/" title="Newsletter Signup">Newsletter Signup</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150321155424/http://www.texastribune.org/donate/" title="Donate" class="donate">Donate</a> </li> </ul> </div> </footer> </div> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="1x1" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_Invisible_1x1"> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424js_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/COMPRESSED/js/38cc1e8308b2.js"></script> <script> tt.ads.addTarget("content", "story"); tt.ads.addTarget("slug", "brief"); tt.ads.addTarget("tribpedia", ["jimmie-don-aycock", "robert-nichols", "ted-cruz", "dan-patrick", "leticia-van-de-putte", "joan-huffman", "greg-abbott", "mike-conaway", "rick-perry", "the-brief"]); tt.ads.addTarget("sections", ["front-page/", "government/", "politics/", "education/public-education/", "energy-and-environment/"]); try { tt.ads.addTarget("is_member", "no"); tt.ads.addTarget("logged_in", "no"); var tt = tt || {}; tt.username = ''; } catch(e) {} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> window._tpm = window._tpm || []; window._tpm['paywallID'] = '36783210'; window._tpm['trackPageview'] = true; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424js_/http://code.tinypass.com/tpl/d1/tpm.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424js_/http://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-53beb39e1b9725fb"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424js_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/scripts.hellobar.com/a0b14295d377f4052f6c446d03d05e4b4b935f91.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150321155424js_/http://bit.ly/javascript-api.js?version=latest&login=texastribune&apiKey=R_6f6057d6b4eb2cded750a1bfde821d16"></script> <div id="parsely-root" style="display: none"> <div id="parsely-cfg" data-parsely-site="texastribune.org"></div> </div> <script> (function(s, p, d) { var h=d.location.protocol, i=p+"-"+s, e=d.getElementById(i), r=d.getElementById(p+"-root"), u=h==="https:"?"d1z2jf7jlzjs58.cloudfront.net" :"static."+p+".com"; if (e) return; e = d.createElement(s); e.id = i; e.async = true; e.src = h+"//"+u+"/p.js"; r.appendChild(e); })("script", "parsely", document); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> _qevents.push( { qacct:"p-f74d4O38hiiiM"} ); </script> <noscript> <div style="display: none;"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424im_/http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-f74d4O38hiiiM.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="Quantcast"/> </div> </noscript> <script type="text/javascript"> var _sf_async_config={}; /** CONFIGURATION START **/ _sf_async_config.uid = 14324; _sf_async_config.domain = 'texastribune.org'; if (window.tt && tt.currentPage) { if (tt.currentPage.sections) { _sf_async_config.sections = tt.currentPage.sections.join(','); } if (tt.currentPage.authors) { _sf_async_config.authors = tt.currentPage.authors.join(','); } else if (tt.currentPage.authorsText) { _sf_async_config.authors = tt.currentPage.authorsText; } } /** CONFIGURATION END **/ (function(){ function loadChartbeat() { window._sf_endpt=(new Date()).getTime(); var e = document.createElement('script'); e.setAttribute('language', 'javascript'); e.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); e.setAttribute('src', (('https:' == document.location.protocol) ? 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/https://a248.e.akamai.net/chartbeat.download.akamai.com/102508/' : 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155424/http://static.chartbeat.com/') + 'js/chartbeat.js'); document.body.appendChild(e); } var oldonload = window.onload; window.onload = (typeof window.onload != 'function') ? loadChartbeat : function() { oldonload(); loadChartbeat(); }; })(); </script> <script> (function() { jQuery.scrollDepth(); })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript">window.NREUM||(NREUM={});NREUM.info={"beacon":"bam.nr-data.net","queueTime":0,"licenseKey":"8636ab2091","agent":"js-agent.newrelic.com/nr-627.min.js","transactionName":"ZwZWZ0NWD0VRAE1YCV5MckZfVBVfXw0WVQxRDVNcH0EIU0cQF1YDXgZGWlIZBVNEAlBdXHMMWkdUWRVyVRdYWAoeBFFH","applicationID":"452513","errorBeacon":"bam.nr-data.net","applicationTime":454}</script><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ (function(){try{var s,a,i,j,r,c,l=document.getElementsByTagName("a"),t=document.createElement("textarea");for(i=0;l.length-i;i++){try{a=l[i].getAttribute("href");if(a&&a.indexOf("/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection") > -1 && (a.length > 28)){s='';j=27+ 1 + a.indexOf("/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection");if (a.length > j) {r=parseInt(a.substr(j,2),16);for(j+=2;a.length>j&&a.substr(j,1)!='X';j+=2){c=parseInt(a.substr(j,2),16)^r;s+=String.fromCharCode(c);}j+=1;s+=a.substr(j,a.length-j);}t.innerHTML=s.replace(/</g,"<").replace(/>/g,">");l[i].setAttribute("href","mailto:"+t.value);}}catch(e){}}}catch(e){}})(); /* ]]> */ </script> </body> </html>