ECONOMY | The Texas Tribune

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class="alt_header"><h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/">ECONOMY</a></h1></header> <section class="topstory grid"> <article class=""> <div class="media large"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/23/uttt-poll-mood-state/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/23/UT-TT-Polls-02232015.005_jpg_474x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/23/UT-TT-Polls-02232015.005_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Graphic by Emily Albracht</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/23/uttt-poll-mood-state/">UT/TT Poll: Economy, Border Security Are Top Issues</a></h1> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Texans haven't changed their answers on the biggest problems facing the state and the country — or on how the state and the country stack up, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/23/uttt-poll-mood-state/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> <aside class="related"> <header class="smallcaps"> <h2>Related</h2> </header> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/25/uttt-poll-voters-sync-lawmakers-sometimes/">UT/TT Poll: Voters in Sync With Lawmakers — Sometimes</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/24/uttt-poll-texans-divided-gay-marriage/">UT/TT Poll: Texans Divided on Gay Marriage</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/23/uttt-poll-discrimination-guns/">UT/TT Poll: Texans Divided on Guns, Discrimination</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/22/uttt-poll-cruz-leads-by-a-little-clinton-by-a-lot/">UT/TT Poll: Cruz Leads by a Little, Clinton by a Lot</a></li> </ul> </aside> </div> </article> </section> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> <article class=" item_1"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/16/abbott-signs-bill-limit-pollution-lawsuits/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/15/SanJacintoWater-Danger_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="The San Jacinto River Waste Pits, an EPA Superfund site that is contaminated with dioxins, is located on Interstate 10 east of Houston."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/15/SanJacintoWater-Danger_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="The San Jacinto River Waste Pits, an EPA Superfund site that is contaminated with dioxins, is located on Interstate 10 east of Houston." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Michael Stravato</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">The San Jacinto River Waste Pits, an EPA Superfund site that is contaminated with dioxins, is located on Interstate 10 east of Houston.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/16/abbott-signs-bill-limit-pollution-lawsuits/">Abbott Signs Bill to Limit Pollution Lawsuits</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 16 Jun 2015 18:51:07 -0500" title="2015-06-16 18:51"> June 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/16/abbott-signs-bill-limit-pollution-lawsuits/comments/"><span class="value">47</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> has signed legislation that could make it tougher for local governments to sue big-time polluters – an effort that largely targets Harris County prosecutors. </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/16/abbott-signs-bill-limit-pollution-lawsuits/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/15/abbott-predicts-new-era-job-growth-tax-cuts/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/15/Abbott_Oculus_Rift_TT_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Greg Abbott tries out an Oculus Rift virtual reality system at AMD's Austin office after signing a bill cutting the business franchise tax rate."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/15/Abbott_Oculus_Rift_TT_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Greg Abbott tries out an Oculus Rift virtual reality system at AMD's Austin office after signing a bill cutting the business franchise tax rate." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Aman Batheja</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Greg Abbott tries out an Oculus Rift virtual reality system at AMD's Austin office after signing a bill cutting the business franchise tax rate.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/15/abbott-predicts-new-era-job-growth-tax-cuts/">Signing Tax Cut Bills, Abbott Predicts "New Era of Job Growth"</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:04:38 -0500" title="2015-06-15 12:04"> June 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/15/abbott-predicts-new-era-job-growth-tax-cuts/comments/"><span class="value">44</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>Declaring “a new era of job growth in the state of Texas,” Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> on Monday signed a $2.56 billion bill cutting the franchise tax rate paid by businesses by 25 percent.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/15/abbott-predicts-new-era-job-growth-tax-cuts/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/06/who-killed-sb-12/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/05/Trillium_Natural_Gas_Pump_JPG_231x1000_q100.JPG" alt="A fueling station for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas sits in Austin. As of mid-March, Texas was home to 130 natural gas fueling stations, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. Those 77 public stations and 63 private ones serve about 7,200 vehicles."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/05/Trillium_Natural_Gas_Pump_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="A fueling station for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas sits in Austin. As of mid-March, Texas was home to 130 natural gas fueling stations, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. Those 77 public stations and 63 private ones serve about 7,200 vehicles." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Stephen Spillman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A fueling station for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas sits in Austin. As of mid-March, Texas was home to 130 natural gas fueling stations, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. Those 77 public stations and 63 private ones serve about 7,200 vehicles.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/06/who-killed-sb-12/">Despite Early Momentum, Energy Legislation Flames Out at End of Session</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 6 Jun 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-06-06 06:00"> June 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/06/who-killed-sb-12/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Who killed the House and Senate's top energy bills? Their autopsy evokes the names of T. Boone Pickens and Koch Industries and involves plenty of squabbling between the chambers. </span><span> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/06/who-killed-sb-12/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="show-for-medium-down"> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/16/abbott-signs-bill-limit-pollution-lawsuits/">Abbott Signs Bill to Limit Pollution Lawsuits</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 16 Jun 2015 18:51:07 -0500" title="2015-06-16 18:51"> June 16, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/16/abbott-signs-bill-limit-pollution-lawsuits/comments/"><span class="value">47</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/16/abbott-signs-bill-limit-pollution-lawsuits/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/15/SanJacintoWater-Danger_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="The San Jacinto River Waste Pits, an EPA Superfund site that is contaminated with dioxins, is located on Interstate 10 east of Houston."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/15/SanJacintoWater-Danger_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="The San Jacinto River Waste Pits, an EPA Superfund site that is contaminated with dioxins, is located on Interstate 10 east of Houston." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Michael Stravato</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">The San Jacinto River Waste Pits, an EPA Superfund site that is contaminated with dioxins, is located on Interstate 10 east of Houston.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> has signed legislation that could make it tougher for local governments to sue big-time polluters – an effort that largely targets Harris County prosecutors. </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/16/abbott-signs-bill-limit-pollution-lawsuits/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/15/abbott-predicts-new-era-job-growth-tax-cuts/">Signing Tax Cut Bills, Abbott Predicts "New Era of Job Growth"</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:04:38 -0500" title="2015-06-15 12:04"> June 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/15/abbott-predicts-new-era-job-growth-tax-cuts/comments/"><span class="value">44</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/15/abbott-predicts-new-era-job-growth-tax-cuts/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/15/Abbott_Oculus_Rift_TT_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Greg Abbott tries out an Oculus Rift virtual reality system at AMD's Austin office after signing a bill cutting the business franchise tax rate."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/15/Abbott_Oculus_Rift_TT_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Greg Abbott tries out an Oculus Rift virtual reality system at AMD's Austin office after signing a bill cutting the business franchise tax rate." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Aman Batheja</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Greg Abbott tries out an Oculus Rift virtual reality system at AMD's Austin office after signing a bill cutting the business franchise tax rate.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Declaring “a new era of job growth in the state of Texas,” Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> on Monday signed a $2.56 billion bill cutting the franchise tax rate paid by businesses by 25 percent.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/15/abbott-predicts-new-era-job-growth-tax-cuts/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/06/who-killed-sb-12/">Despite Early Momentum, Energy Legislation Flames Out at End of Session</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 6 Jun 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-06-06 06:00"> June 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/06/who-killed-sb-12/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/06/who-killed-sb-12/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/05/Trillium_Natural_Gas_Pump_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="A fueling station for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas sits in Austin. As of mid-March, Texas was home to 130 natural gas fueling stations, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. Those 77 public stations and 63 private ones serve about 7,200 vehicles."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/05/Trillium_Natural_Gas_Pump_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="A fueling station for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas sits in Austin. As of mid-March, Texas was home to 130 natural gas fueling stations, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. Those 77 public stations and 63 private ones serve about 7,200 vehicles." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Stephen Spillman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A fueling station for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas sits in Austin. As of mid-March, Texas was home to 130 natural gas fueling stations, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. Those 77 public stations and 63 private ones serve about 7,200 vehicles.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Who killed the House and Senate's top energy bills? Their autopsy evokes the names of T. Boone Pickens and Koch Industries and involves plenty of squabbling between the chambers. </span><span> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/06/who-killed-sb-12/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 gap hide-for-medium-down left_rail"> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab data"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Data</h1> <h2> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://localdebt.texastribune.org/">The Texas Tribune's Local Debt Explorer Gets an Update</a> </h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a>, <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> and <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/annie-daniel/">Annie Daniel</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 3 Apr 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-04-03 06:00"> April 3, 2015 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="http://localdebt.texastribune.org/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/04/LocalDebtExplorer-Lead_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/04/LocalDebtExplorer-Lead_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/data/"><span>+</span> More Data</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <aside class="ad_container sidebar_block"> <div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="300x250" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_Home_BTF_LeftRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/04/epa-fracking-no-widespread-affects-water/">EPA Finds No "Widespread" Fracking Effects on Water</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 4 Jun 2015 14:25:36 -0500" title="2015-06-04 14:25"> June 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/04/epa-fracking-no-widespread-affects-water/comments/"><span class="value">26</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/04/epa-fracking-no-widespread-affects-water/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/17/TxTrib-UrbanDrilling005_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/17/TxTrib-UrbanDrilling005_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Mark Graham</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Fracking in Fort Worth, Sept. 27, 2013</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>A draft report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finds no evidence that hydraulic fracturing has “led to widespread, systemic impacts” on the nation’s drinking water supplies, though the practice has harmed water in some cases.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/04/epa-fracking-no-widespread-affects-water/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/04/abbott-signs-bill-ending-perry-fund-boost-higher-e/">Abbott Signs Higher Ed Bill Ending Fund Touted by Perry</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 4 Jun 2015 13:46:23 -0500" title="2015-06-04 13:46"> June 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/04/abbott-signs-bill-ending-perry-fund-boost-higher-e/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/04/abbott-signs-bill-ending-perry-fund-boost-higher-e/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/04/7C2A7795_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Greg Abbott signs several higher education related bills into law on June 4, 2015. He also praised state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, left, for her work in the most recent legislative session on education issues."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/04/7C2A7795_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Greg Abbott signs several higher education related bills into law on June 4, 2015. He also praised state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, left, for her work in the most recent legislative session on education issues." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Greg Abbott signs several higher education related bills into law on June 4, 2015. He also praised state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, left, for her work in the most recent legislative session on education issues.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span> signed a bill Thursday that </span><span>eliminates a controversial startup investment fund long touted by his predecessor, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a>. The legislation directs much of the fund's money to </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/lawmakers-approve-abbotts-university-recruitment-f/">a new researcher recruitment effort</a><span>.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/04/abbott-signs-bill-ending-perry-fund-boost-higher-e/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/03/more-questions-answers-denton-ponders-next-steps/">With Fracking Ban Overruled, Denton Ponders Next Steps</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 3 Jun 2015 06:43:27 -0500" title="2015-06-03 06:43"> June 3, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/03/more-questions-answers-denton-ponders-next-steps/comments/"><span class="value">41</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/03/more-questions-answers-denton-ponders-next-steps/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/10/Denton-Fracking_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A grassroots effort to ban fracking in Denton succeeded last fall, but has now been trumped by state lawmakers."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/10/Denton-Fracking_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A grassroots effort to ban fracking in Denton succeeded last fall, but has now been trumped by state lawmakers." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Brandi Korte / Frack Free Denton</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A grassroots effort to ban fracking in Denton succeeded last fall, but has now been trumped by state lawmakers.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Frustrated Denton residents flooded a city council meeting Tuesday for a conversation about fracking that stretched late into the night. Now that state lawmakers have slapped down the city's fracking ban, residents wonder what else they can do. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/03/more-questions-answers-denton-ponders-next-steps/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/01/though-fracked-again-denton-says-fight-isnt-over/">Fracked Again, Denton Says Fight Isn't Over</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 1 Jun 2015 22:16:11 -0500" title="2015-06-01 22:16"> June 1, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/01/though-fracked-again-denton-says-fight-isnt-over/comments/"><span class="value">30</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/01/though-fracked-again-denton-says-fight-isnt-over/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/EDIT_6-1-15_Fracking_5857_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Vantage Energy on June 1, 2015 resumed hydraulic operations on a pad site on the western outskirts of Denton. It was the first company to frack within city limits after the Texas Legislature overturned the Denton’s ban on the process."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/01/EDIT_6-1-15_Fracking_5857_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Vantage Energy on June 1, 2015 resumed hydraulic operations on a pad site on the western outskirts of Denton. It was the first company to frack within city limits after the Texas Legislature overturned the Denton’s ban on the process." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Cooper Neill</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Vantage Energy on June 1, 2015 resumed hydraulic operations on a pad site on the western outskirts of Denton. It was the first company to frack within city limits after the Texas Legislature overturned the Denton’s ban on the process.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Seven months after a rag-tag group of local activists scored a surprising victory over the state’s powerful oil and gas industry when Denton voted to ban hydraulic fracturing, a natural gas company Monday resumed operations under a state law passed to overturn Denton's ban.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/01/though-fracked-again-denton-says-fight-isnt-over/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 hide-for-medium-down mid_rail"> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/drama-between-film-video-game-groups-dooms-funding/">Funding Cut as Film, Gaming Lobbies Squabble</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 27 May 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-05-27 06:00"> May 27, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/drama-between-film-video-game-groups-dooms-funding/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/drama-between-film-video-game-groups-dooms-funding/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/03/TxTrib-VideoGame-007_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Naveen Nattam (l) Sean Riley (r) play games during their lunch break at Twisted Pixel, a video game company in Austin. Texas is second in the nation for video game industry employment and promoting further growth with incentives and training."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/10/03/TxTrib-VideoGame-007_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Naveen Nattam (l) Sean Riley (r) play games during their lunch break at Twisted Pixel, a video game company in Austin. Texas is second in the nation for video game industry employment and promoting further growth with incentives and training." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Callie Richmond</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Naveen Nattam (l) Sean Riley (r) play games during their lunch break at Twisted Pixel, a video game company in Austin. Texas is second in the nation for video game industry employment and promoting further growth with incentives and training.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span><span>The incentive fund for attracting film and video game companies to Texas is about to take a major budget hit. Advocates for both industries are licking their wounds, and blaming each other for failing to present a united front.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/drama-between-film-video-game-groups-dooms-funding/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/house-senate-leaders-confirm-deal-boost-transporta/">House, Senate Leaders Confirm Transportation Funding Deal</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 26 May 2015 12:49:30 -0500" title="2015-05-26 12:49"> May 26, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/house-senate-leaders-confirm-deal-boost-transporta/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/house-senate-leaders-confirm-deal-boost-transporta/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/07/UP9A6193_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Sen. Robert Nichols R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, speak at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/07/UP9A6193_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Sen. Robert Nichols R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, speak at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Sen. Robert Nichols R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, speak at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>House and Senate leaders have come to an agreement on a deal to significantly boost the Texas Department of Transportation’s funding.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/house-senate-leaders-confirm-deal-boost-transporta/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/24/texas-house-approves-twia-overhaul/">Texas House Approves TWIA Overhaul</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Sun, 24 May 2015 23:54:50 -0500" title="2015-05-24 23:54"> May 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/24/texas-house-approves-twia-overhaul/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/24/texas-house-approves-twia-overhaul/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/17/Ike-House-TWIA_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Galveston, TX - September 21, 2008"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/17/Ike-House-TWIA_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Galveston, TX - September 21, 2008" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Josh Henderson</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Galveston, TX - September 21, 2008</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, the often-tapped insurer of last resort for Gulf Coast property owners, looks poised to get a major overhaul.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/24/texas-house-approves-twia-overhaul/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/24/house-unanimously-backs-property-tax-break/">House Unanimously Backs Property Tax Break</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Sun, 24 May 2015 20:48:23 -0500" title="2015-05-24 20:48"> May 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/24/house-unanimously-backs-property-tax-break/comments/"><span class="value">11</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/24/house-unanimously-backs-property-tax-break/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/13/IMG_9993_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, on the House floor, May 13, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/13/IMG_9993_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, on the House floor, May 13, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, on the House floor, May 13, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>In a 136-1 vote, the House favored Senate Bill 1, which would raise the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000 if voters approve an amendment to the state Constitution in November.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/24/house-unanimously-backs-property-tax-break/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/22/union-dues-spark-end-session-dispute/">Union Dues Spark an End-of-Session Dispute</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 22 May 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-05-22 06:00"> May 22, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/22/union-dues-spark-end-session-dispute/comments/"><span class="value">11</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/22/union-dues-spark-end-session-dispute/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/30/SylvesterTurner47_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, answers an audience question during TTEvents on April 30, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/30/SylvesterTurner47_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, answers an audience question during TTEvents on April 30, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, answers an audience question during TTEvents on April 30, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>An unexpected end-of-session skirmish over payroll deductions for union dues pits Republicans against Democrats, business against labor, and presents lawmakers with one of those votes that might be important in next year's elections.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/22/union-dues-spark-end-session-dispute/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/key-sticking-point-tax-cut-deal-cleared/">State Leaders Reach Tax Cut Deal</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 21 May 2015 21:45:53 -0500" title="2015-05-21 21:45"> May 21, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/key-sticking-point-tax-cut-deal-cleared/comments/"><span class="value">20</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/key-sticking-point-tax-cut-deal-cleared/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/21/Straus_Abbott_Patrick_TT_crop_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="(L-R) State House Speaker Joe Straus, Governor Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick on May 21, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/21/Straus_Abbott_Patrick_TT_crop_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="(L-R) State House Speaker Joe Straus, Governor Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick on May 21, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Office of the Governor</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">(L-R) State House Speaker Joe Straus, Governor Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick on May 21, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><strong>UPDATED</strong>: Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>, Lt. Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a> and House Speaker <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/joe-straus/">Joe Straus</a> announced late Thursday the terms of a $3.8 billion tax relief package — a move that followed weeks of testy negotiations.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/key-sticking-point-tax-cut-deal-cleared/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-6 show-for-medium-down"> <ul class="mobile_headlines"> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/04/epa-fracking-no-widespread-affects-water/">EPA Finds No "Widespread" Fracking Effects on Water</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/04/abbott-signs-bill-ending-perry-fund-boost-higher-e/">Abbott Signs Higher Ed Bill Ending Fund Touted by Perry</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/03/more-questions-answers-denton-ponders-next-steps/">With Fracking Ban Overruled, Denton Ponders Next Steps</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/01/though-fracked-again-denton-says-fight-isnt-over/">Fracked Again, Denton Says Fight Isn't Over</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/effort-tighten-spending-cap-dies/">Effort to Tighten Spending Cap Dies With House, Senate Far Apart</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/final-bill-38-billion-tax-cut-deal-sent-abbotts-de/">Final Bill in $3.8 Billion Tax Cut Deal Sent to Abbott's Desk</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/abbott-signs-call-lift-crude-oil-export-ban/">Abbott Signs Call to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/legislature-sends-2094-billion-budget-abbott/">Legislature Sends $209.4 Billion Budget to Abbott</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/house-sends-franchise-tax-cut-abbott/">House Sends Franchise Tax Cut to Abbott, Defusing Veto Threat</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/smooth-sailing-shark-fin-ban-senate/">In Senate, Smooth Sailing for Shark Fin Ban</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/drama-between-film-video-game-groups-dooms-funding/">Funding Cut as Film, Gaming Lobbies Squabble</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/house-senate-leaders-confirm-deal-boost-transporta/">House, Senate Leaders Confirm Transportation Funding Deal</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/24/texas-house-approves-twia-overhaul/">Texas House Approves TWIA Overhaul</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/24/house-unanimously-backs-property-tax-break/">House Unanimously Backs Property Tax Break</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/22/union-dues-spark-end-session-dispute/">Union Dues Spark an End-of-Session Dispute</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/key-sticking-point-tax-cut-deal-cleared/">State Leaders Reach Tax Cut Deal</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class=" cell w-4 hide-for-medium-down"> <aside id="" class="featurebox "> <header class="featurebox-header"> <h1><span>Trib</span>pedia</h1> </header> <div class="featurebox-content "> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/budget/">Budget</a></li> <li><a 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Dennis Bonnen</a></h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 13 May 2015 09:30:17 -0500" title="2015-05-13 09:30"> May 13, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/13/video-a-conversation-with-dennis-bonnen/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="/2015/05/13/video-a-conversation-with-dennis-bonnen/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/ABonnen3cms_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/ABonnen3cms_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"><span>+</span> More Videos</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/effort-tighten-spending-cap-dies/">Effort to Tighten Spending Cap Dies With House, Senate Far Apart</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Sun, 31 May 2015 18:24:30 -0500" title="2015-05-31 18:24"> May 31, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/effort-tighten-spending-cap-dies/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/effort-tighten-spending-cap-dies/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/21/Straus_Abbott_Patrick_TT_crop_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="(L-R) State House Speaker Joe Straus, Governor Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick on May 21, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/21/Straus_Abbott_Patrick_TT_crop_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="(L-R) State House Speaker Joe Straus, Governor Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick on May 21, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Office of the Governor</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">(L-R) State House Speaker Joe Straus, Governor Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick on May 21, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The state’s constitutional spending cap will remain untouched this session, and House and Senate leaders are blaming each other for the lack of action on the arcane but politically important measure.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/effort-tighten-spending-cap-dies/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/final-bill-38-billion-tax-cut-deal-sent-abbotts-de/">Final Bill in $3.8 Billion Tax Cut Deal Sent to Abbott's Desk</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 29 May 2015 19:15:39 -0500" title="2015-05-29 19:15"> May 29, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/final-bill-38-billion-tax-cut-deal-sent-abbotts-de/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/final-bill-38-billion-tax-cut-deal-sent-abbotts-de/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/17/7C2A8151_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Speaker Joe Straus on April 17th, 2015 during debate of HB 910"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/17/7C2A8151_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Speaker Joe Straus on April 17th, 2015 during debate of HB 910" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Speaker Joe Straus on April 17th, 2015 during debate of HB 910</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>The Texas House sent <span>the last part of a $3.8 billion tax cut deal </span><span>to Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>'s desk Friday. Senate Bill 1 will <span>increase the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000 if voters approve an amendment to the state Constitution.</span></span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/final-bill-38-billion-tax-cut-deal-sent-abbotts-de/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/abbott-signs-call-lift-crude-oil-export-ban/">Abbott Signs Call to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 29 May 2015 15:43:45 -0500" title="2015-05-29 15:43"> May 29, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/abbott-signs-call-lift-crude-oil-export-ban/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/abbott-signs-call-lift-crude-oil-export-ban/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Industry-1_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Industry-1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Paul Lowry</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Texas has officially asked Congress to lift its 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports. Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> on Friday signed a resolution that calls the federal ban a “relic from an era of scarcity and flawed price control policies.” </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/abbott-signs-call-lift-crude-oil-export-ban/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/legislature-sends-2094-billion-budget-abbott/">Legislature Sends $209.4 Billion Budget to Abbott</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> and <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Julián Aguilar</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 29 May 2015 15:17:43 -0500" title="2015-05-29 15:17"> May 29, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/legislature-sends-2094-billion-budget-abbott/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/legislature-sends-2094-billion-budget-abbott/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/29/7C2A6469_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Group congratulates Rep. John Otto R-Dayton after HB1 passes on May 29, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/29/7C2A6469_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Group congratulates Rep. John Otto R-Dayton after HB1 passes on May 29, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Group congratulates Rep. John Otto R-Dayton after HB1 passes on May 29, 2015</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Texas lawmakers in both chambers on Friday overwhelmingly approved a $209.4 billion two-year budget, a 3.6 percent increase over the current one. It now heads to Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>’s desk.<span> </span></p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/legislature-sends-2094-billion-budget-abbott/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/house-sends-franchise-tax-cut-abbott/">House Sends Franchise Tax Cut to Abbott, Defusing Veto Threat</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 28 May 2015 17:02:59 -0500" title="2015-05-28 17:02"> May 28, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/house-sends-franchise-tax-cut-abbott/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/21/Straus_Abbott_Patrick_TT_crop_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="(L-R) State House Speaker Joe Straus, Governor Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick on May 21, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/21/Straus_Abbott_Patrick_TT_crop_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="(L-R) State House Speaker Joe Straus, Governor Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick on May 21, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Office of the Governor</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">(L-R) State House Speaker Joe Straus, Governor Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick on May 21, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Defusing Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span>’s first public veto threat, lawmakers sent a bill cutting the business franchise tax to his desk Thursday. The House also sent Abbott a bill plugging holes in the 2014-15 budget.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/house-sends-franchise-tax-cut-abbott/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/smooth-sailing-shark-fin-ban-senate/">In Senate, Smooth Sailing for Shark Fin Ban</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 27 May 2015 12:26:48 -0500" title="2015-05-27 12:26"> May 27, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/smooth-sailing-shark-fin-ban-senate/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/smooth-sailing-shark-fin-ban-senate/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/15/Shark_Fin_SoupTT_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="A bowl of shark fin soup with crab meat at Ho Ho Chinese BBQ in Austin."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/15/Shark_Fin_SoupTT_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="A bowl of shark fin soup with crab meat at Ho Ho Chinese BBQ in Austin." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Ryan McCrimmon</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">A bowl of shark fin soup with crab meat at Ho Ho Chinese BBQ in Austin.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>A measure to ban the trade of shark fins in Texas is headed to Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span>’s desk after clearing the Texas Senate on Wednesday. The fins are collected by a brutal fishing process: cutting off a live shark's fin and leaving the shark to die.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/smooth-sailing-shark-fin-ban-senate/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/all/" title=""><span>+</span> More News</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wrapper-r"> <footer id="site_footer" class="wrapper-r"> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> </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/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/">Becca Aaronson</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150627035744/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Julián Aguilar</a> </dd> <dd> <a 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