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<span><a class="plain" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/">Tribpedia</a>:</span> <a class="plain" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/budget/">Budget</a> </h1> </header> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-12"> <nav class="pagination"> <ul class="pagination"><li class="disabled"><span class="disabled prev"><span>&lsaquo;</span> previous</span></li><li><span class="current page">1</span></li><li><a href="?page=2" class="page">2</a></li><li><a href="?page=3" class="page">3</a></li><li><a href="?page=4" class="page">4</a></li><li><a class="disabled">…</a></li><li><a href="?page=19" class="page">19</a></li><li><a href="?page=20" class="page">20</a></li><li><a href="?page=21" class="page">21</a></li><li><a href="?page=22" class="page">22</a></li><li class="last"><a href="?page=2" class="next">next <span>&rsaquo;</span></a></li></ul> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="grid"> <article> <div class="cell w-12 content"> <p><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/SOTWDocs/CN/htm/CN.1.htm">Texas Constitution</a> requires the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/topics/texas-legislature/">Legislature</a> to balance its budget every year without borrowing against future receipts. That bars the government from deficit spending and forces lawmakers, who meet for 20 weeks every two years, to constantly balance demands for programs and services against voters' desire to limit taxes, fees and other costs of government. <br/><br/>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/topics/legislative-budget-board-lbb/" target="_blank">Legislative Budget Board</a> — a ...</p></p> <a class="permalink" href="about/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Read More</a> </div> </article> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-12"> <article class=" "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/07/otto-lead-house-budget-writer-announces-retirement/">Otto, House's Lead Budget Writer, Announces Retirement</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 7 Jul 2015 15:30:01 -0500" title="2015-07-07 15:30"> July 7, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/07/otto-lead-house-budget-writer-announces-retirement/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/07/otto-lead-house-budget-writer-announces-retirement/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/29/7C2A6469_jpg_312x176_crop_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/20150708042608/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><span>After a decade in the Texas House and fresh off his first session as chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, state Rep. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/john-otto/" data-tooltip="/directory/john-otto/quicklook/">John Otto</a><span>, R-Dayton, announced Tuesday that he is not planning to seek re-election.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/07/otto-lead-house-budget-writer-announces-retirement/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_1"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/25/uttt-poll-voters-sync-lawmakers-sometimes/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/24/UT-TT-Polls-02232015.001_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/24/UT-TT-Polls-02232015.001_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/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/25/uttt-poll-voters-sync-lawmakers-sometimes/">UT/TT Poll: Voters in Sync With Lawmakers — Sometimes</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 25 Jun 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-06-25 06:00"> June 25, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/25/uttt-poll-voters-sync-lawmakers-sometimes/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Texas voters are all for tax cuts, but not necessarily the same ones legislators prefer, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/25/uttt-poll-voters-sync-lawmakers-sometimes/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/24/tolling-projects-limbo-following-session/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/23/7C2A4885_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="An advocate for restricting funds for toll-roads in Texas attends a rally March 23rd, 2015"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/23/7C2A4885_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="An advocate for restricting funds for toll-roads in Texas attends a rally March 23rd, 2015" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">An advocate for restricting funds for toll-roads in Texas attends a rally March 23rd, 2015</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/24/tolling-projects-limbo-following-session/">Toll Road Projects in Limbo Following Session</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 24 Jun 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-06-24 06:00"> June 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/24/tolling-projects-limbo-following-session/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Texas' network of tolled highways totals more than 500 miles, but its growth was curtailed this session as lawmakers passed several measures making it tougher for toll projects to move forward. Some fast-growing communities are scrambling to find new funding avenues for highway expansion projects with uncertain futures.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/24/tolling-projects-limbo-following-session/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/budget-and-taxes/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/20/84lege-leadart-budget_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/20/84lege-leadart-budget_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="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/budget-and-taxes/">Catch Up on Budget & Tax Issues From This Session</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> and <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 19 Jun 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-06-19 06:00"> June 19, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>By the end of the 84th legislative session, state lawmakers reached many compromises on the </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/budget-and-taxes/" target="_blank">2016-17 budget and tax cuts</a><span>. See what lawmakers decided — and how they got there — with our </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://txlege.texastribune.org/" target="_blank">Texas Legislative Guide</a><span>.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/budget-and-taxes/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_4"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/18/video-grieder-and-ratcliffe-on-jane-nelson/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/UP9A8405_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/UP9A8405_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/18/video-grieder-and-ratcliffe-on-jane-nelson/">Video: Grieder and Ratcliffe on Jane Nelson</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:28:14 -0500" title="2015-06-18 15:28"> June 18, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>At our 6/18 conversation, Erica Grieder and R.G. Ratcliffe of </span><em>Texas Monthly</em><span> explained why they named state Sen. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/jane-nelson/">Jane Nelson</a><span>, R-Flower Mound, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, one of the 84th session's ten worst legislators.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/18/video-grieder-and-ratcliffe-on-jane-nelson/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_5"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/15/abbott-predicts-new-era-job-growth-tax-cuts/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/15/Abbott_Oculus_Rift_TT_jpg_312x176_crop_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/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/15/abbott-predicts-new-era-job-growth-tax-cuts/">Abbott Predicts "New Era of Job Growth" With Tax Cuts</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_6"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/12/state-budget-includes-500000-subsidize-almanac/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/11/TexasAlmanac_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/11/TexasAlmanac_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Graphic by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/12/state-budget-includes-500000-subsidize-almanac/">State Budget Includes $500,000 to Subsidize Texas Almanac</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 12 Jun 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-06-12 06:00"> June 12, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/12/state-budget-includes-500000-subsidize-almanac/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Tucked in the $209 billion budget lawmakers passed last month is a budget rider allocating $500,000 for a nonprofit to publish the Texas Almanac. The guide of important Texas facts, figures and maps has been around for more than 150 years, but until recently, it had managed to thrive as a for-profit publication. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/12/state-budget-includes-500000-subsidize-almanac/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_7"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/10/deconstructing-session-look-leaders/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/10/TT-TXStandard_leadership_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/10/TT-TXStandard_leadership_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Credit: Office of the Governor</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/10/deconstructing-session-look-leaders/">Deconstructing the Session: A Look at the Leaders</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 10 Jun 2015 18:00:00 -0500" title="2015-06-10 18:00"> June 10, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>As the Legislature took up the budget and other important issues, the leadership of Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span>, Lt. Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a><span> and House Speaker </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/joe-straus/">Joe Straus</a><span> were put to the test multiple times. Listen to our discussion of the three leaders in a special episode of </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texasstandard.org/" target="_blank">Texas Standard</a><span>.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/10/deconstructing-session-look-leaders/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_8"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/02/look-final-2016-17-budget/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/BudgetTexas_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/BudgetTexas_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Graphic by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/02/look-final-2016-17-budget/">A Closer Look at the Final 2016-17 State Budget</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> and <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/">Becca Aaronson</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 2 Jun 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-06-02 06:00"> June 2, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/02/look-final-2016-17-budget/comments/"><span class="value">4</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Here’s a look at how the Texas House and Senate budget proposals compared and what the two chambers ultimately settled on, using information from the Legislative Budget Board.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/02/look-final-2016-17-budget/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_9"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/roundup-budget-gun-bills-crowd-abbotts-desk/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Otto_budget_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Otto_budget_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/roundup-budget-gun-bills-crowd-abbotts-desk/">Roundup: Budget, Gun Bills Crowd Abbott's Desk</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rocha-alana/">Alana Rocha</a> and <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a></li><li><time datetime="Sun, 31 May 2015 19:22:23 -0500" title="2015-05-31 19:22"> May 31, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/roundup-budget-gun-bills-crowd-abbotts-desk/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>In the Texas Political Roundup: With the budget passed that includes a $3.8 billion tax cut, lawmakers shifted their attention in the final weekend of the 84<sup>th</sup> Legislature to guns – sending bills to Gov. Greg Abbott that change how and where you can carry a handgun.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/roundup-budget-gun-bills-crowd-abbotts-desk/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_10"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/effort-tighten-spending-cap-dies/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/21/Straus_Abbott_Patrick_TT_crop_jpg_312x176_crop_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/20150708042608/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> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/effort-tighten-spending-cap-dies/">Effort to Tighten Spending Cap Dies</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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="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/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/31/effort-tighten-spending-cap-dies/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_11"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/30/texans-vote-plan-boost-road-funding-billions/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/07/7C2A6195_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, right, at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/07/7C2A6195_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, right, 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 Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, right, at a Texas Tribune event on April 7, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/30/texans-vote-plan-boost-road-funding-billions/">Texans to Vote on Plan to Boost Road Funding</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 30 May 2015 14:23:41 -0500" title="2015-05-30 14:23"> May 30, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/30/texans-vote-plan-boost-road-funding-billions/comments/"><span class="value">5</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The Texas Legislature voted Saturday to ask the state's voters in November to approve a plan to boost annual transportation funding by billions of dollars.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/30/texans-vote-plan-boost-road-funding-billions/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_12"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/30/most-visible-budget-disputes-senate-fared-better/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/29/NelsonOttoSplit_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Sen. Jane Nelson, the Senate finance chairwoman, and Rep. John Otto, the House appropriations chairman."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/29/NelsonOttoSplit_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Sen. Jane Nelson, the Senate finance chairwoman, and Rep. John Otto, the House appropriations chairman." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Erika Rich / Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Sen. Jane Nelson, the Senate finance chairwoman, and Rep. John Otto, the House appropriations chairman.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/30/most-visible-budget-disputes-senate-fared-better/">On Most Visible Budget Disputes, Senate Fared Better</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Sat, 30 May 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-05-30 06:00"> May 30, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The $209.4 billion budget sent to Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a><span>'s desk includes hundreds of concessions made by the House and Senate. Yet on </span><span>most of the high-profile disputes, the Senate won out. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/30/most-visible-budget-disputes-senate-fared-better/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_13"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/final-bill-38-billion-tax-cut-deal-sent-abbotts-de/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/17/7C2A8151_jpg_312x176_crop_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/20150708042608/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> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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="summary"> <p>The Texas House sent a bill increasing the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000 — if voters approve it — to Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>'s desk on Friday, the last part of a $3.8 billion tax cut deal that includes property tax relief and a reduction in the franchise tax rate paid by businesses. </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/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> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_14"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/legislature-sends-2094-billion-budget-abbott/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/29/7C2A6469_jpg_312x176_crop_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/20150708042608/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> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> and <a href="/web/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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="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/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>’s desk. </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/29/legislature-sends-2094-billion-budget-abbott/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_15"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/house-sends-franchise-tax-cut-abbott/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/21/Straus_Abbott_Patrick_TT_crop_jpg_312x176_crop_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/20150708042608/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> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/house-sends-franchise-tax-cut-abbott/">House Sends Franchise Tax Cut to Abbott</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/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="summary"> <p><span>Defusing Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/house-sends-franchise-tax-cut-abbott/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_16"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/budget-deal-includes-25-million-boost-alamo/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/24/TGLO-ManShowsThing_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Phil Collins with his collection of Alamo artifacts at his home in Switzerland."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/24/TGLO-ManShowsThing_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Phil Collins with his collection of Alamo artifacts at his home in Switzerland." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Texas General Land Office</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Phil Collins with his collection of Alamo artifacts at his home in Switzerland.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/budget-deal-includes-25-million-boost-alamo/">Budget Deal Includes $25 Million Boost for Alamo</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 28 May 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-05-28 06:00"> May 28, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/budget-deal-includes-25-million-boost-alamo/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Budget writers have added some last-minute cash for the Alamo to spiff up the Texas shrine and its surroundings, in large part to ensure that the state holds on to a collection of Alamo artifacts from British music legend Phil Collins.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/28/budget-deal-includes-25-million-boost-alamo/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_17"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/senate-approves-fix-retired-teacher-healthcare/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/20/OttoNelson2CMS_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Chairman State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton and Chairman Sen. Jane Nelson at Joint Committee on Appropriations May 20, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/20/OttoNelson2CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Chairman State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton and Chairman Sen. Jane Nelson at Joint Committee on Appropriations May 20, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Chairman State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton and Chairman Sen. Jane Nelson at Joint Committee on Appropriations May 20, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/senate-approves-fix-retired-teacher-healthcare/">Senate Approves $564.6 Million Supplemental Budget Bill</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 26 May 2015 18:40:36 -0500" title="2015-05-26 18:40"> May 26, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/senate-approves-fix-retired-teacher-healthcare/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The Texas Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to pass a <span>$564.6 million </span>bill that plugs holes in the current budget and shores up the health care plan for retired teachers.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/senate-approves-fix-retired-teacher-healthcare/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_18"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/house-senate-leaders-confirm-deal-boost-transporta/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/07/UP9A6193_jpg_312x176_crop_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/20150708042608/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> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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="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/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/26/house-senate-leaders-confirm-deal-boost-transporta/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_19"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/25/house-enlarged-tax-relief-price-tag-400-million/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Thompson1CMS_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Rep. Senfronia Thompson (r), D-Houston, talks to Rep. Mike Hamilton during the local and consent calendar on April 26, 2011."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Thompson1CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Senfronia Thompson (r), D-Houston, talks to Rep. Mike Hamilton during the local and consent calendar on April 26, 2011." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. Senfronia Thompson (r), D-Houston, talks to Rep. Mike Hamilton during the local and consent calendar on April 26, 2011.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/25/house-enlarged-tax-relief-price-tag-400-million/">House Enlarged Tax Relief Price Tag by $400 Million</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 25 May 2015 15:36:32 -0500" title="2015-05-25 15:36"> May 25, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/25/house-enlarged-tax-relief-price-tag-400-million/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The ball is in the Senate's court on a major tax relief deal after the House unexpectedly increased the price tag by $400 million.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/25/house-enlarged-tax-relief-price-tag-400-million/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_20"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/house-senate-negotiators-reach-deal-budget/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/28/HouseSenateBudget-Heads_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="Sens. Lois Kolkhorst, Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Jane Nelson, Charles Schwertner, Joan Huffman and Reps. Larry Gonzales, Sarah Davis, Sylvester Turner, John Otto and Trent Ashby make up the 2015 budget conference committee."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/28/HouseSenateBudget-Heads_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Sens. Lois Kolkhorst, Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Jane Nelson, Charles Schwertner, Joan Huffman and Reps. Larry Gonzales, Sarah Davis, Sylvester Turner, John Otto and Trent Ashby make up the 2015 budget conference committee." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Graphic by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Sens. Lois Kolkhorst, Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Jane Nelson, Charles Schwertner, Joan Huffman and Reps. Larry Gonzales, Sarah Davis, Sylvester Turner, John Otto and Trent Ashby make up the 2015 budget conference committee.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/house-senate-negotiators-reach-deal-budget/">House, Senate Negotiators Reach Deal on Budget</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 21 May 2015 22:24:33 -0500" title="2015-05-21 22:24"> May 21, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/house-senate-negotiators-reach-deal-budget/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Top House and Senate negotiators sealed up the final unresolved issues on a two-year budget deal on Thursday evening, including removing controversial language that would have killed a proposed Dallas-Houston bullet train.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/house-senate-negotiators-reach-deal-budget/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_21"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/key-sticking-point-tax-cut-deal-cleared/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/21/Straus_Abbott_Patrick_TT_crop_jpg_312x176_crop_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/20150708042608/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> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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/20150708042608/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="summary"> <p><strong>UPDATED</strong>: Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a>, Lt. Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a> and House Speaker <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/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 between House and Senate leaders over the terms of the agreement.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/key-sticking-point-tax-cut-deal-cleared/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_22"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/video-davis-leach-and-nevrez-on-tax-cuts/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Davis2_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Davis2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/video-davis-leach-and-nevrez-on-tax-cuts/">Video: Davis, Leach and Nevárez on Tax Cuts</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 21 May 2015 10:21:46 -0500" title="2015-05-21 10:21"> May 21, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>At our 5/21 conversation, state Reps. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/sarah-davis/" data-tooltip="/directory/sarah-davis/quicklook/">Sarah Davis</a><span>, R-West University Place; </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/jeff-leach/" data-tooltip="/directory/jeff-leach/quicklook/">Jeff Leach</a><span>, R-Plano; and </span><a title="" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/poncho-nevarez/" target="_blank" data-tooltip="/directory/poncho-nevarez/quicklook/">Poncho Nevárez</a><span>, D-Eagle Pass talked about the prospect of a deal on tax cuts.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/video-davis-leach-and-nevrez-on-tax-cuts/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_23"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/video-davis-leach-and-nevrez-on-the-budget/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Group2_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Group2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/video-davis-leach-and-nevrez-on-the-budget/">Video: Davis, Leach and Nevárez on the Budget</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 21 May 2015 09:51:51 -0500" title="2015-05-21 09:51"> May 21, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>At our </span><span>5/21 conversation, state Reps. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/sarah-davis/" data-tooltip="/directory/sarah-davis/quicklook/">Sarah Davis</a><span>, R-West University Place; </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/jeff-leach/" data-tooltip="/directory/jeff-leach/quicklook/">Jeff Leach</a><span>, R-Plano; and </span><a title="" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/poncho-nevarez/" target="_blank" data-tooltip="/directory/poncho-nevarez/quicklook/">Poncho Nevárez</a><span>, D-Eagle Pass talked about the coming budget deal between the House and the Senate.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/21/video-davis-leach-and-nevrez-on-the-budget/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_24"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/20/budget-writers-settle-school-funding-other-unresol/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/20/OttoNelson1CMS_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, and Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, are shown at a joint budget hearing on May 20, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/20/OttoNelson1CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, and Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, are shown at a joint budget hearing on May 20, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, and Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, are shown at a joint budget hearing on May 20, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/20/budget-writers-settle-school-funding-other-unresol/">Budget Writers Settle School Funding, Border Security</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 20 May 2015 20:52:25 -0500" title="2015-05-20 20:52"> May 20, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/20/budget-writers-settle-school-funding-other-unresol/comments/"><span class="value">3</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The House and Senate stepped closer to a final deal on a two-year budget Wednesday evening, settling dozens of differences between the two chambers including funding for public education and border security. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/20/budget-writers-settle-school-funding-other-unresol/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid hide-media-extras"> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_25"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/19/senate-wants-property-tax-cut-year-house-wants-del/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/PropertyTax-DollarSigns_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/PropertyTax-DollarSigns_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo illustration by Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/19/senate-wants-property-tax-cut-year-house-wants-del/">Senate Wants Property Tax Cut This Year; House Wants to Delay It</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 19 May 2015 15:10:34 -0500" title="2015-05-19 15:10"> May 19, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/19/senate-wants-property-tax-cut-year-house-wants-del/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>The House and Senate negotiations over a tax cut deal have narrowed to a single sticking point: <span>when a proposed property tax cut should go into effect.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/19/senate-wants-property-tax-cut-year-house-wants-del/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_26"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/18/budgetine-4/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/10/Budgetline-podcast-lead-art-final_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/10/Budgetline-podcast-lead-art-final_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/18/budgetine-4/">Budgetline: Numbers Aren't Everything</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a>, <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> and <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/twiseman/">Todd Wiseman</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 18 May 2015 17:02:51 -0500" title="2015-05-18 17:02"> May 18, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/18/budgetine-4/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>In this episode of Budgetline, Aman and Ross explore riders — descriptive items in the state budget meant to direct agencies how to spend state money. Often, they're a place where budget writers sneak policy and legislative instructions into state law.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/18/budgetine-4/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="cell w-4"> <article class=" item_27"> <div class="media letterbox"> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/17/inside-texas-politics-unfinished-business/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/17/Inside_May_17_jpg_312x176_crop_q100.jpg" alt="(L-R) Jason Whitely, Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy on WFAA"s on Inside Texas Politics on May 17, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/05/17/Inside_May_17_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="(L-R) Jason Whitely, Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy on WFAA"s on Inside Texas Politics on May 17, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>Photo by WFAA</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">(L-R) Jason Whitely, Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bud Kennedy on WFAA"s on Inside Texas Politics on May 17, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/17/inside-texas-politics-unfinished-business/">Inside Texas Politics: Unfinished Business</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/john-jordan/">John Jordan</a></li><li><time datetime="Sun, 17 May 2015 14:07:24 -0500" title="2015-05-17 14:07"> May 17, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/17/inside-texas-politics-unfinished-business/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's </span><em>Inside Texas</em><span> </span><em>Politics</em><span>, </span><span>talk turns to the final two weeks of the 84th Texas Legislature: </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/14/state-leaders-juggle-resolutions-five-major-issues/">Will lawmakers be able to get together</a><span>, or will they be back for a special session?</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/17/inside-texas-politics-unfinished-business/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-12"> <nav class="pagination clear"> <ul class="pagination"><li class="disabled"><span class="disabled prev"><span>&lsaquo;</span> previous</span></li><li><span class="current page">1</span></li><li><a href="?page=2" class="page">2</a></li><li><a href="?page=3" class="page">3</a></li><li><a href="?page=4" class="page">4</a></li><li><a class="disabled">…</a></li><li><a href="?page=19" class="page">19</a></li><li><a href="?page=20" class="page">20</a></li><li><a href="?page=21" class="page">21</a></li><li><a href="?page=22" class="page">22</a></li><li class="last"><a href="?page=2" class="next">next <span>&rsaquo;</span></a></li></ul> </nav> </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/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/">Becca Aaronson</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Julián Aguilar</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sophia-bollag/">Sophia Bollag</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/mallory-busch/">Mallory Busch</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/liz-crampton/">Liz Crampton</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/annie-daniel/">Annie Daniel</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rodney-gibbs/">Rodney Gibbs</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150708042608/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/john-jordan/">John Jordan</a> 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