ECONOMY | The Texas Tribune

<!DOCTYPE html>     <html class="no-js">  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.texastribune.org:80/economy/","20150407205206","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1428439926"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>ECONOMY | The Texas Tribune</title> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/favicon.ico"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta charset="utf-8"><script type="text/javascript">window.NREUM||(NREUM={}),__nr_require=function(e,n,t){function r(t){if(!n[t]){var o=n[t]={exports:{}};e[t][0].call(o.exports,function(n){var o=e[t][1][n];return r(o?o:n)},o,o.exports)}return n[t].exports}if("function"==typeof __nr_require)return __nr_require;for(var o=0;o<t.length;o++)r(t[o]);return r}({QJf3ax:[function(e,n){function t(e){function n(n,t,a){e&&e(n,t,a),a||(a={});for(var u=c(n),f=u.length,s=i(a,o,r),p=0;f>p;p++)u[p].apply(s,t);return s}function a(e,n){f[e]=c(e).concat(n)}function c(e){return f[e]||[]}function u(){return t(n)}var f={};return{on:a,emit:n,create:u,listeners:c,_events:f}}function r(){return{}}var o="nr@context",i=e("gos");n.exports=t()},{gos:"7eSDFh"}],ee:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("QJf3ax")},{}],3:[function(e,n){function t(e){return function(){r(e,[(new Date).getTime()].concat(i(arguments)))}}var r=e("handle"),o=e(1),i=e(2);"undefined"==typeof window.newrelic&&(newrelic=window.NREUM);var a=["setPageViewName","addPageAction","setCustomAttribute","finished","addToTrace","inlineHit","noticeError"];o(a,function(e,n){window.NREUM[n]=t("api-"+n)}),n.exports=window.NREUM},{1:12,2:13,handle:"D5DuLP"}],"7eSDFh":[function(e,n){function t(e,n,t){if(r.call(e,n))return e[n];var o=t();if(Object.defineProperty&&Object.keys)try{return Object.defineProperty(e,n,{value:o,writable:!0,enumerable:!1}),o}catch(i){}return e[n]=o,o}var r=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;n.exports=t},{}],gos:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("7eSDFh")},{}],handle:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("D5DuLP")},{}],D5DuLP:[function(e,n){function t(e,n,t){return r.listeners(e).length?r.emit(e,n,t):(o[e]||(o[e]=[]),void o[e].push(n))}var r=e("ee").create(),o={};n.exports=t,t.ee=r,r.q=o},{ee:"QJf3ax"}],id:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("XL7HBI")},{}],XL7HBI:[function(e,n){function t(e){var n=typeof e;return!e||"object"!==n&&"function"!==n?-1:e===window?0:i(e,o,function(){return r++})}var r=1,o="nr@id",i=e("gos");n.exports=t},{gos:"7eSDFh"}],G9z0Bl:[function(e,n){function t(){var e=d.info=NREUM.info,n=f.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];if(e&&e.licenseKey&&e.applicationID&&n){c(p,function(n,t){n in e||(e[n]=t)});var t="https"===s.split(":")[0]||e.sslForHttp;d.proto=t?"https://":"http://",a("mark",["onload",i()]);var r=f.createElement("script");r.src=d.proto+e.agent,n.parentNode.insertBefore(r,n)}}function r(){"complete"===f.readyState&&o()}function o(){a("mark",["domContent",i()])}function i(){return(new Date).getTime()}var a=e("handle"),c=e(1),u=(e(2),window),f=u.document,s=(""+location).split("?")[0],p={beacon:"bam.nr-data.net",errorBeacon:"bam.nr-data.net",agent:"js-agent.newrelic.com/nr-632.min.js"},d=n.exports={offset:i(),origin:s,features:{}};f.addEventListener?(f.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",o,!1),u.addEventListener("load",t,!1)):(f.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",r),u.attachEvent("onload",t)),a("mark",["firstbyte",i()])},{1:12,2:3,handle:"D5DuLP"}],loader:[function(e,n){n.exports=e("G9z0Bl")},{}],12:[function(e,n){function t(e,n){var t=[],o="",i=0;for(o in e)r.call(e,o)&&(t[i]=n(o,e[o]),i+=1);return t}var r=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;n.exports=t},{}],13:[function(e,n){function t(e,n,t){n||(n=0),"undefined"==typeof t&&(t=e?e.length:0);for(var r=-1,o=t-n||0,i=Array(0>o?0:o);++r<o;)i[r]=e[n+r];return i}n.exports=t},{}]},{},["G9z0Bl"]);</script><script type="text/javascript">window.NREUM||(NREUM={});NREUM.info={"beacon":"bam.nr-data.net","queueTime":0,"licenseKey":"8636ab2091","agent":"js-agent.newrelic.com/nr-632.min.js","transactionName":"ZwZWZ0NWD0VRAE1YCV5MckZfVBVfXw0WRRJvEFFQRV4OWG8VUFQRQ01CWlRAEgxjBlpFD18NcFZFVghaZgpcRg==","applicationID":"452513","errorBeacon":"bam.nr-data.net","applicationTime":1366}</script> <meta name="author" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta name="copyright" content="漏 The Texas Tribune"/> <meta name="language" content="EN"/> <meta name="audience" content="All"/> <meta name="publisher" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta name="distribution" content="global"/> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow"/> <meta name="siteinfo" content="http://www.texastribune.org/robots.txt"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://static.texastribune.org/common/images/apple-touch-icon.png"/> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="2RECdeH7aeA9-RQoGzkfTpP5i_3Qz4rtBIR-CdCtvus"/> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="3EMut9KLnb_7fohrI_bDaR4py76QIWAt4uPidjagbzI"/> <meta name="p:domain_verify" content="1a464e3e99298d39e0cdaaeeb2c10dfd"/> <meta name="y_key" content="36169ff9ee60f3ab"/> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="DB22C31255557D1E219990CA92192CBB"/> <meta name="medium" content="news"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://static.texastribune.org/common/images/apple-touch-icon.png"/> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes"/> <meta name="apple-touch-fullscreen" content="yes"/> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="154122474650943"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="The Texas Tribune"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/"/> <meta property="twitter:url" content="http://www.texastribune.org/economy/"/>  <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206js_/http://use.typekit.com/brb4jmm.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript">try{Typekit.load();}catch(e){}</script> <link href="https://plus.google.com/116406259333166116089/" rel="publisher"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206cs_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/COMPRESSED/css/2c1c9bbe6a0c.css" type="text/css"/>  <script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-9827490-1', 'texastribune.org'); ga('require', 'displayfeatures'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <script>// var tt = tt || {}; tt.debug = false; tt.media_url = 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/'; tt.facebook = {appId: '154122474650943'}; // Doubleclick integration tt.ads = { // targeting: {}, // addTarget: function(key, value) { if (typeof key === 'undefined'){ // get all attrs return tt.ads.targeting; } else { // set attr tt.ads.targeting[key] = value; } } }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206js_/http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.7.2/jquery.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery || document.write('<script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/jquery/1.7.2/jquery.min.js"><\/script>')</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206js_/http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.8.18/jquery-ui.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery.ui || document.write('<script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/jqueryui/jquery-ui-1.8.18.min.js"><\/script>')</script> <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206js_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/vendor/modernizr/modernizr.min.js"></script> </head> <body class="sections responsive"> <script type="text/javascript"> var _qevents = _qevents || []; (function() { var elem = document.createElement('script'); elem.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/https://secure" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://edge") + ".quantserve.com/quant.js"; elem.async = true; elem.type = "text/javascript"; var scpt = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; scpt.parentNode.insertBefore(elem, scpt); })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript">var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime()</script> <div class="wrapper-r"> <div id="site_roofline" style="position:relative;"> <div class="hide-for-mobile large_ad_container"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline1_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline2_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline3_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="728x90" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Site_Roofline4_ATF_Leaderboard_728x90"> </div> </div> <div class="mobile-only"> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline1_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline2_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline3_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> <div class="ad adunit mobile" data-dimensions="300x100" data-adunit="_TexasTribune_Site_Roofline4_ATF_Leaderboard_300x100"> </div> </div> </div> <div id="greeting"> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/register/" title="Register for your free Texas Tribune account">Register</a> </li> <li class="last"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/login/?next=">Login</a> <script> (function(){ var allScripts = document.getElementsByTagName('script'), currentScript = allScripts[allScripts.length - 1], node = currentScript; while (node = node.previousSibling) { if (node.nodeName == "A"){ node.href += document.location.pathname; break; } }; })(); </script> </li> </ul> </div> <header id="site_header"> <nav class="navbar primary"> <ul> <li class="hide-for-mobile navbar-search"> <form method="get" action="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/search/"> <input id="site_search_q" name="q" type="text" value="" placeholder="Search..."> <button type="submit" aria-label="Submit"><i class="icon-search"></i></button> </form> </li> <li class="active hide-for-mobile dropdown-toggle"> <a class="dropdown-toggle" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/"> Front Page </a> <div class="mega-dropdown grid" id="sections"> <div class="cell w-3 tab_nav_cell"> <ul id="sidemenu" class="tab-nav"> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/" data-section="economy"> Economy </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/education/" data-section="education"> Education </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/" data-section="energy-and-environment"> Energy & Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/government/" data-section="government"> Government </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/health-and-human-services/" data-section="health-and-human-services"> Health & Human Services </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/law-and-order/" data-section="law-and-order"> Law & Order </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/people/" data-section="people"> People </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/" data-section="politics"> Politics </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/race-and-immigration/" data-section="race-and-immigration"> Race & Immigration </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/transportation/" data-section="transportation"> Transportation </a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="sections-tab-container" class="cell w-9 tab_container" data-content-resource="/esi/components/megadropdown/"> <div style="padding: 1em; font-family: 'LeagueGothicRegular'; font-size:2.1em; color: #999; ">Loading...</div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/"> Data </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://txlege.texastribune.org/" title="84th Lege Session landing page"> 84th Lege </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/"> Directory </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/events/"> Events </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile dropdown-toggle"> <a class="multimedia" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"> Multimedia </a> <ul class="dropdown"> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/livestream/">Livestream</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile dropdown-toggle"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/subscribe/"> Subscriptions </a> <ul class="dropdown"> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/the-brief/">The Brief</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-weekly/">Texas Weekly</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/edu/">Trib+Edu</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/health/">Trib+Health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">Trib+Water</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.tribtalk.org/"> TribTalk </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/tribinvestigates/" title="Trib Investigates"> Investigations </a> </li> <li class="hide-for-mobile"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2016/" title="2016 Presidential Elections"> 2016 </a> </li> <li class="mobile-only active dropdown-toggle"> <a href="#"> Menu<i class="icon-caret-down"></i> </a> <ul class="mobile-dropdown"> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/">Front Page</a> </li> <li> <a class="data" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/">Data</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://txlege.texastribune.org/" title="84th Lege Session landing page"> 84th Lege </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/">Directory</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/events/">Events</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/">Multimedia</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/livestream/">Livestream</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/the-brief/">The Brief</a></li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-weekly/">Texas Weekly</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/edu/">Trib+Edu</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/health/">Trib+Health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/plus/water/">Trib+Water</a></li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.tribtalk.org/">TribTalk</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/tribinvestigates/" title="Trib Investigates"> Investigations </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2016/" title="2016 Presidential Elections"> 2016 </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-only dropdown-toggle"> <a href="#"> Sections<i class="icon-caret-down"></i> </a> <ul class="mobile-dropdown"> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/" data-section="economy"> Economy </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/education/" data-section="education"> Education </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/" data-section="energy-and-environment"> Energy & Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/government/" data-section="government"> Government </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/health-and-human-services/" data-section="health-and-human-services"> Health & Human Services </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/law-and-order/" data-section="law-and-order"> Law & Order </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/people/" data-section="people"> People </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/" data-section="politics"> Politics </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/race-and-immigration/" data-section="race-and-immigration"> Race & Immigration </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/transportation/" data-section="transportation"> Transportation </a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-only dropdown-toggle"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/search/"><i class="icon-search"></i></a> <div class="mobile-dropdown mobile-search"> <form method="get" action="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/search/"> <input name="q" type="text" value="" placeholder="SEARCH"> <button type="search" alt="Do Search"> <i class="icon-search"></i> </button> </form> </div> </li> <li class="mobile-only active" id="mobi_join"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/join/"> Support Us </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="ad last"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/join/" title="Contribute Today" style="display: block; padding-top: .5em"> <div style="background:url(//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/membership/TT-supportus-flag.png) no-repeat; width: 120px; height:60px; background-size: 120px 60px;"></div> </a> </div> <div class="below_nav"> <h1 id="logo"><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/logo.png" width="453" height="50" alt="The Texas Tribune"></a></h1> <time datetime="2015-04-07T15:52:05.449985">Tuesday, April 7, 2015</time> </div> </header> </div> <div class="wrapper content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content index"> <header class="alt_header"><h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/">ECONOMY</a></h1></header> <section class="topstory grid"> <article class=""> <div class="media large"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/house-eyes-rainy-day-fund-changes-pay-debt/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/31/HS1472Otto2_jpg_474x1000_q100.jpg" alt="House Appropriations Chair John Otto explains a budget amendment to a colleague during House Bill 1 debate March 31, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/31/HS1472Otto2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="House Appropriations Chair John Otto explains a budget amendment to a colleague during House Bill 1 debate March 31, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">House Appropriations Chair John Otto explains a budget amendment to a colleague during House Bill 1 debate March 31, 2015.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/house-eyes-rainy-day-fund-changes-pay-debt/">Bid for Rainy Day Fund Changes Moves Forward</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/matthew-watkins/">Matthew Watkins</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 7 Apr 2015 11:55:10 -0500" title="2015-04-07 11:55"> April 7, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/house-eyes-rainy-day-fund-changes-pay-debt/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <section class="summary"> <p><span>The Texas House on Tuesday approved a resolution calling for a constitutional election over whether to send surplus dollars from the </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/rainy-day-fund/" target="_blank">Rainy Day Fund</a><span> into a new account to pay down state debt.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/07/house-eyes-rainy-day-fund-changes-pay-debt/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </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/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/bill-would-untangle-messy-hair-care-regulations/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/09/30/Braiding_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/09/30/Braiding_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/bill-would-untangle-messy-hair-care-regulations/">House Bill Would Untangle Hair Braiding Rules</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 6 Apr 2015 18:05:51 -0500" title="2015-04-06 18:05"> April 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/bill-would-untangle-messy-hair-care-regulations/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>For nearly two decades, the state of Texas has been trying to shut down Isis Brantley's hair braiding business. Prodded by a federal court, state lawmakers are now considering exempting hair braiders from regulation and leaving Brantley alone.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/bill-would-untangle-messy-hair-care-regulations/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_2"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://localdebt.texastribune.org/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/04/LocalDebtExplorer-Lead_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/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> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://localdebt.texastribune.org/">The Tribune's Local Debt Explorer Gets an Update</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a>, <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> and <a href="/web/20150407205206/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> </header> <div class="summary"> <p><span>Use our Local Debt Explorer to find out how much tax-supported debt is held by your city, county and school district. <span>The data is collected by the </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs/lgspubs2014.aspx">Texas Bond Review Board</a><span> and reflects each entity’s debt load as of August 2014.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://localdebt.texastribune.org/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </div> </div> </article> <article class=" item_3"> <div class="media medium"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/house-reconvenes-take-unfinished-budget-business/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/01/HS1919CMS_jpg_231x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, and State Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, during House budget debate Mar. 31, 2015. Both were no votes on the budget bill HB 1 after 17 hours of debate."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/01/HS1919CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, and State Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, during House budget debate Mar. 31, 2015. Both were no votes on the budget bill HB 1 after 17 hours of debate." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, and State Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, during House budget debate Mar. 31, 2015. Both were no votes on the budget bill HB 1 after 17 hours of debate.</div> </div> <div class="text_column"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/house-reconvenes-take-unfinished-budget-business/">House OKs Two-Year Budget, Approves Boost to Current One</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 1 Apr 2015 15:56:35 -0500" title="2015-04-01 15:56"> April 1, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/house-reconvenes-take-unfinished-budget-business/comments/"><span class="value">9</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="summary"> <p>After an 18-hour marathon Tuesday night to sign off on a $210 billion two-year state budget, lawmakers were back in the Texas House on Wednesday afternoon for a bit of unfinished business: plugging holes in the current budget.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/house-reconvenes-take-unfinished-budget-business/"> <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/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/bill-would-untangle-messy-hair-care-regulations/">House Bill Would Untangle Hair Braiding Rules</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 6 Apr 2015 18:05:51 -0500" title="2015-04-06 18:05"> April 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/bill-would-untangle-messy-hair-care-regulations/comments/"><span class="value">10</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/bill-would-untangle-messy-hair-care-regulations/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/09/30/Braiding_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/09/30/Braiding_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>For nearly two decades, the state of Texas has been trying to shut down Isis Brantley's hair braiding business. Prodded by a federal court, state lawmakers are now considering exempting hair braiders from regulation and leaving Brantley alone.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/06/bill-would-untangle-messy-hair-care-regulations/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://localdebt.texastribune.org/">The Tribune's Local Debt Explorer Gets an Update</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a>, <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> and <a href="/web/20150407205206/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> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://localdebt.texastribune.org/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/04/LocalDebtExplorer-Lead_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/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> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Use our Local Debt Explorer to find out how much tax-supported debt is held by your city, county and school district. <span>The data is collected by the </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs/lgspubs2014.aspx">Texas Bond Review Board</a><span> and reflects each entity’s debt load as of August 2014.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://localdebt.texastribune.org/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class=" responsive-secondary"> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/house-reconvenes-take-unfinished-budget-business/">House OKs Two-Year Budget, Approves Boost to Current One</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 1 Apr 2015 15:56:35 -0500" title="2015-04-01 15:56"> April 1, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/house-reconvenes-take-unfinished-budget-business/comments/"><span class="value">9</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/house-reconvenes-take-unfinished-budget-business/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/01/HS1919CMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, and State Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, during House budget debate Mar. 31, 2015. Both were no votes on the budget bill HB 1 after 17 hours of debate."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/01/HS1919CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, and State Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, during House budget debate Mar. 31, 2015. Both were no votes on the budget bill HB 1 after 17 hours of debate." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, and State Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, during House budget debate Mar. 31, 2015. Both were no votes on the budget bill HB 1 after 17 hours of debate.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>After an 18-hour marathon Tuesday night to sign off on a $210 billion two-year state budget, lawmakers were back in the Texas House on Wednesday afternoon for a bit of unfinished business: plugging holes in the current budget.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/house-reconvenes-take-unfinished-budget-business/"> <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/20150407205206/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/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a>, <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> and <a href="/web/20150407205206/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/20150407205206im_/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/20150407205206/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/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/library/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/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/final-version-budget-story/">After 18-Hour Debate, House Gives Early Approval to Budget</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 1 Apr 2015 05:52:18 -0500" title="2015-04-01 05:52"> April 1, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/final-version-budget-story/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/final-version-budget-story/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/31/HS1880Turner_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington, and other representatives on the House floor during budget debate March 31, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/31/HS1880Turner_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington, and other representatives on the House floor during budget debate March 31, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington, and other representatives on the House floor during budget debate March 31, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>After an overnight debate that veered from polite disagreements to an angry outburst, the Texas House tentatively passed a $210 billion two-year budget early Wednesday morning with a 141 to 5 vote. </p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/final-version-budget-story/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/house-budget-debate-tackle-hot-button-issues/">House Budget Debate to Tackle Hot-Button Issues</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 31 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-31 06:00"> March 31, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/house-budget-debate-tackle-hot-button-issues/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/house-budget-debate-tackle-hot-button-issues/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Bob_FloorHouse_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Bob_FloorHouse_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Planning to follow the House's budget debate today? Better clear your schedule. The chamber is set to debate 354 amendments, which are likely to stir debate on issues like abortion, border security, school vouchers and more.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/house-budget-debate-tackle-hot-button-issues/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/powdered-alcohol-ban-sent-full-house/">Powdered Alcohol Ban Sent to Full House</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:03:34 -0500" title="2015-03-30 16:03"> March 30, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/powdered-alcohol-ban-sent-full-house/comments/"><span class="value">31</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/powdered-alcohol-ban-sent-full-house/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Geren1CMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, talks with colleagues on the floor during discussion on school finance Friday afternoon May 27, 2011."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/Geren1CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, talks with colleagues on the floor during discussion on school finance Friday afternoon May 27, 2011." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, talks with colleagues on the floor during discussion on school finance Friday afternoon May 27, 2011.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Texas has joined a growing number of states moving quickly to outlaw powdered alcohol, a new product that health officials say could make it easier for minors to conceal and consume alcohol.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/powdered-alcohol-ban-sent-full-house/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/budget-and-taxes/">Texas Legislative Guide: Budget & Taxes</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayan-mittra/">Ayan Mittra</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:52:40 -0500" title="2015-03-30 13:52"> March 30, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/budget-and-taxes/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/20/84lege-leadart-budget_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/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> <section class="summary"> <p><span>With the full Texas House set to discuss its proposed budget plan on Tuesday, use </span><span>our </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://txlege.texastribune.org/" target="_blank">Texas Legislative Guide</a><span> to catch up on our coverage of issues related to the </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/budget-and-taxes/#agreeing-on-the-budget" target="_blank">budget and taxes</a><span>.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/budget-and-taxes/"> <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/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/analysis-grassroots-push-business-tax-repeal/">Analysis: A Distinctive Push for Business Tax Repeal</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 11 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-11 06:00"> March 11, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/analysis-grassroots-push-business-tax-repeal/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/analysis-grassroots-push-business-tax-repeal/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/PropertyTax_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Some officeholders have raised the idea of replacing Texas' property tax with a larger sales tax. But that could create some new fiscal challenges."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/PropertyTax_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Some officeholders have raised the idea of replacing Texas' property tax with a larger sales tax. But that could create some new fiscal challenges." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Some officeholders have raised the idea of replacing Texas' property tax with a larger sales tax. But that could create some new fiscal challenges.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>As lawmakers debate what kinds of tax cuts they like best, and voters point at property taxes as their favorite, a national conservative group is starting a grassroots campaign to promote repeal of the state's business margins tax. </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/analysis-grassroots-push-business-tax-repeal/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/patrick-hancock-propose-spending-cap-changes/">Patrick, Hancock Propose Spending Cap Changes</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 10 Mar 2015 14:08:35 -0500" title="2015-03-10 14:08"> March 10, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/patrick-hancock-propose-spending-cap-changes/comments/"><span class="value">7</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/patrick-hancock-propose-spending-cap-changes/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/_S3R0030_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/24/_S3R0030_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Senate leaders on Tuesday rolled out more legislation that would change how the state sets its limit on spending for each budget biennium, and let lawmakers pass tax cuts that don't count toward the cap.</span></p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/patrick-hancock-propose-spending-cap-changes/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/film-groups-want-separate-funding-video-games/">Film Groups Want Separate Funding for Video Games</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Mon, 9 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-09 06:00"> March 9, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/film-groups-want-separate-funding-video-games/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/film-groups-want-separate-funding-video-games/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/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/20150407205206/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>Texas film heavyweights are asking lawmakers to create a separate funding strategy for video game incentives instead of continuing shared funding with film and television incentives. The video game lobby isn't ready for a split.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/film-groups-want-separate-funding-video-games/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/texas-bill-would-allow-statewide-permits-uber-lyft/">Paddie's Lyft-for-Hire Bill Runs Uber Cities</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 6 Mar 2015 15:57:29 -0600" title="2015-03-06 15:57"> March 6, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/texas-bill-would-allow-statewide-permits-uber-lyft/comments/"><span class="value">8</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/texas-bill-would-allow-statewide-permits-uber-lyft/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/06/09/Uber-Lyft-Hybrid_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Uber and Lyft, two San Francisco-based transportation networking companies, have launched services in several Texas cities."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/06/09/Uber-Lyft-Hybrid_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Uber and Lyft, two San Francisco-based transportation networking companies, have launched services in several Texas cities." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Uber and Lyft, two San Francisco-based transportation networking companies, have launched services in several Texas cities.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>With various Texas cities imposing different rules on vehicle-for-hire apps Uber and Lyft, state Rep. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/chris-paddie/">Chris Paddie</a><span>, R-Marshall, is pushing a bill to let the state take over regulation of the services.</span></p> <p><span> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/texas-bill-would-allow-statewide-permits-uber-lyft/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/rising-local-debt-draws-attention-legislature/">Rising Local Debt Draws Attention of Legislature</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 5 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-03-05 06:00"> March 5, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/rising-local-debt-draws-attention-legislature/comments/"><span class="value">18</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/rising-local-debt-draws-attention-legislature/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/04/LocalDebtExplorer-Lead_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/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> <section class="summary"> <p>State coffers are flush with cash, but local governments are continuing to borrow heavily to provide services. State legislators have filed more than a dozen bills aimed at how cities, counties and school districts can borrow money.</p> <p> </p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/rising-local-debt-draws-attention-legislature/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/senate-tax-cut-plan-draws-plenty-detractors/">Senate Tax Cut Plan Draws Several Critics at Hearing</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 4 Mar 2015 18:46:30 -0600" title="2015-03-04 18:46"> March 4, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/senate-tax-cut-plan-draws-plenty-detractors/comments/"><span class="value">2</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/senate-tax-cut-plan-draws-plenty-detractors/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/01/_BDB0171_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Senators Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen and Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, listen to DPS Director Steve McCraw testify Dec. 1, 2014 at the Legislative Budget Board meeting at the State Capitol."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/12/01/_BDB0171_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Senators Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen and Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, listen to DPS Director Steve McCraw testify Dec. 1, 2014 at the Legislative Budget Board meeting at the State Capitol." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Senators Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen and Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, listen to DPS Director Steve McCraw testify Dec. 1, 2014 at the Legislative Budget Board meeting at the State Capitol.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span><span>There's a lot of ways you can spend $4.6 billion in tax cuts, and </span>the Senate Finance Committee <span>learned Wednesday that a wide range of special interest groups think the current proposal could use some work.</span></span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/senate-tax-cut-plan-draws-plenty-detractors/"> <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/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/01/final-version-budget-story/">After 18-Hour Debate, House Gives Early Approval to Budget</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/31/house-budget-debate-tackle-hot-button-issues/">House Budget Debate to Tackle Hot-Button Issues</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/powdered-alcohol-ban-sent-full-house/">Powdered Alcohol Ban Sent to Full House</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/budget-and-taxes/">Texas Legislative Guide: Budget & Taxes</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/senate-debates-patricks-45-billion-tax-cuts-packag/">Senate Passes Patrick's Tax Cut Package</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/patricks-tax-cut-package-proves-divisive/">Patrick's Tax Cut Package Fuels Debate as Senate Prepares to Vote</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/costco-joins-wal-mart-kroger-liquor-fight/">Costco Joins Wal-Mart, Kroger in Liquor Push</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/15/abbott-discusses-trade-irish-prime-minister/">Abbott Discusses Trade Relations With Irish Prime Minister</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/house-budget-sets-debate-transportation/">House Budget Plan Sets Stage for Transportation Funding Debate</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/a-special-tribcast-series-on-the-texas-budget/">Budgetline: A TribCast Series on the Texas Budget</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/11/analysis-grassroots-push-business-tax-repeal/">Analysis: A Distinctive Push for Business Tax Repeal</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/10/patrick-hancock-propose-spending-cap-changes/">Patrick, Hancock Propose Spending Cap Changes</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/09/film-groups-want-separate-funding-video-games/">Film Groups Want Separate Funding for Video Games</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/06/texas-bill-would-allow-statewide-permits-uber-lyft/">Paddie's Lyft-for-Hire Bill Runs Uber Cities</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/rising-local-debt-draws-attention-legislature/">Rising Local Debt Draws Attention of Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/senate-tax-cut-plan-draws-plenty-detractors/">Senate Tax Cut Plan Draws Several Critics at Hearing</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/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/budget/">Budget</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/eagle-ford-shale/">The Eagle Ford Shale</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/economy/">Economy</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/federal-stimulus-package/">Federal Stimulus Package</a></li> </ul> </div> <footer class="clearfix featurebox-footer"> <a target="_blank" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/"> <span>+</span> View All </a> </footer> </aside> <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_RightRail1_TTRectangle_300x250"> </div> </div> </aside> <section class="folder"> <div class="tab video"> <hgroup> <h1>Featured Video</h1> <h2><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/12/05/video-the-battle-over-the-budget-84th-session/">Video: The Battle over the Budget in the 84th Session</a></h2> <ul class="meta separator short"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayan-mittra/">Ayan Mittra</a></li><li><time datetime="Fri, 5 Dec 2014 15:40:28 -0600" title="2014-12-05 15:40"> Dec. 5, 2014 </time></li></ul> </hgroup> <div class="content"> <div class="media sidebar" <a href="/2014/12/05/video-the-battle-over-the-budget-84th-session/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/DSC_7634_jpg_300x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/DSC_7634_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/"><span>+</span> More Videos</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/senate-debates-patricks-45-billion-tax-cuts-packag/">Senate Passes Patrick's Tax Cut Package</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:18:08 -0500" title="2015-03-25 15:18"> March 25, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/senate-debates-patricks-45-billion-tax-cuts-packag/comments/"><span class="value">18</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/senate-debates-patricks-45-billion-tax-cuts-packag/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/25/SenateNelson476_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, lays out the property tax relief portion of Senate Bill 1 for final passage in the Senate on March 25, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/25/SenateNelson476_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, lays out the property tax relief portion of Senate Bill 1 for final passage in the Senate on March 25, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, lays out the property tax relief portion of Senate Bill 1 for final passage in the Senate on March 25, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The Texas Senate on Wednesday approved Lt. Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/" target="_blank">Dan Patrick</a>’s multibillion-dollar tax relief package to cut property and business margins taxes, tossing the ball into the House's court.</p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.35;"> </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/25/senate-debates-patricks-45-billion-tax-cuts-packag/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/patricks-tax-cut-package-proves-divisive/">Patrick's Tax Cut Package Fuels Debate as Senate Prepares to Vote</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 24 Mar 2015 06:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-24 06:00"> March 24, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/patricks-tax-cut-package-proves-divisive/comments/"><span class="value">23</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/patricks-tax-cut-package-proves-divisive/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/21/_S3R9444GAVELCMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Parliamentarian Karina Davis watches as new Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gavels in the Texas Senate on Jan. 21, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/21/_S3R9444GAVELCMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Parliamentarian Karina Davis watches as new Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gavels in the Texas Senate on Jan. 21, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Parliamentarian Karina Davis watches as new Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gavels in the Texas Senate on Jan. 21, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>The full Senate is set to vote this week on a package of tax cut bills <span>Lt. Gov. </span><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/">Dan Patrick</a> has championed, yet the measures have drawn opposition from some big business groups who argue that senators are cutting the wrong taxes.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/24/patricks-tax-cut-package-proves-divisive/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/costco-joins-wal-mart-kroger-liquor-fight/">Costco Joins Wal-Mart, Kroger in Liquor Push</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a></li><li><time datetime="Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:41:07 -0500" title="2015-03-18 16:41"> March 18, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/costco-joins-wal-mart-kroger-liquor-fight/comments/"><span class="value">6</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/costco-joins-wal-mart-kroger-liquor-fight/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/06/Liquors-4_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/06/Liquors-4_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p>Wholesale giant Costco has joined Wal-Mart, Kroger and other retailers in the fight to <span>loosen restrictions</span><span> on the state liquor market and </span>let public corporations sell hard alcohol in Texas.</p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/18/costco-joins-wal-mart-kroger-liquor-fight/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/15/abbott-discusses-trade-irish-prime-minister/">Abbott Discusses Trade Relations With Irish Prime Minister</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/bobby-blanchard/">Bobby Blanchard</a></li><li><time datetime="Sun, 15 Mar 2015 12:47:37 -0500" title="2015-03-15 12:47"> March 15, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/15/abbott-discusses-trade-irish-prime-minister/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/15/abbott-discusses-trade-irish-prime-minister/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/15/_S3R0064buckleCMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny receives a Texas belt buckle from Gov. Greg Abbott at the Governor's Mansion on March 15, 2015."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/15/_S3R0064buckleCMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny receives a Texas belt buckle from Gov. Greg Abbott at the Governor's Mansion on March 15, 2015." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny receives a Texas belt buckle from Gov. Greg Abbott at the Governor's Mansion on March 15, 2015.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> met with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny on Sunday morning </span><span>to discuss trade and economic relations. It was Abbott's first meeting with a foreign prime minister since becoming governor. </span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/15/abbott-discusses-trade-irish-prime-minister/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/house-budget-sets-debate-transportation/">House Budget Plan Sets Stage for Transportation Funding Debate</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 12 Mar 2015 14:21:23 -0500" title="2015-03-12 14:21"> March 12, 2015 </time></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/house-budget-sets-debate-transportation/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/UP9A1123CMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="State Rep. John Otto (right) proposes a constitutional amendment to use Rainy Day Fund money to pay off state debt during a news conference on Jan. 15, 2015. At left is state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen."> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/15/UP9A1123CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="State Rep. John Otto (right) proposes a constitutional amendment to use Rainy Day Fund money to pay off state debt during a news conference on Jan. 15, 2015. At left is state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">State Rep. John Otto (right) proposes a constitutional amendment to use Rainy Day Fund money to pay off state debt during a news conference on Jan. 15, 2015. At left is state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen.</div> </div> <section class="summary"> <p><span>Texas House budget writers put the final touches Thursday on a two-year budget that offers a different approach to boosting funding for transportation from the Senate.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/house-budget-sets-debate-transportation/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <article class="small "> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/a-special-tribcast-series-on-the-texas-budget/">Budgetline: A TribCast Series on the Texas Budget</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a>, <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a>, <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/twiseman/">Todd Wiseman</a> and <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reeve-hamilton/">Reeve Hamilton</a></li><li><time datetime="Thu, 12 Mar 2015 09:00:00 -0500" title="2015-03-12 09:00"> March 12, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/a-special-tribcast-series-on-the-texas-budget/comments/"><span class="value">1</span><span class="label">Comment</span></a></li></ul> </header> <div class="media small"> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/a-special-tribcast-series-on-the-texas-budget/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/10/Budgetline-podcast-lead-art-final_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt=""> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/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> <section class="summary"> <p><span>In the first episode of Budgetline, an occasional TribCast series on the Texas budget, Ross and Aman start where state officials started — with the revenue estimate. It sounds simple, but it's a complicated stew of economics, politics and risky forecasting.</span></p> <a class="permalink" href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/12/a-special-tribcast-series-on-the-texas-budget/"> <i class="icon-share-alt"></i> Full Story</a> </section> </article> <ul class="actions simple"> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/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/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/becca-aaronson/">Becca Aaronson</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/julian-aguilar/">Juli谩n Aguilar</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/christine-ayala/">Christine Ayala</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/aman-batheja/">Aman Batheja</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/bobby-blanchard/">Bobby Blanchard</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/annie-daniel/">Annie Daniel</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/justin-dehn/">Justin Dehn</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rodney-gibbs/">Rodney Gibbs</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eva-hershaw/">Eva Hershaw</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/john-jordan/">John Jordan</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/terri-langford/">Terri Langford</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/abby-livingston/">Abby Livingston</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/corrie-maclaggan/">Corrie MacLaggan</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jim-malewitz/">Jim Malewitz</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-mccrimmon/">Ryan McCrimmon</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jolie-mccullough/">Jolie McCullough</a> </dd> </div> <div class="cell w-6"> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayan-mittra/">Ayan Mittra</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ryan-murphy/">Ryan Murphy</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/david-muto/">David Muto</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/david-pasztor/">David Pasztor</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ross-ramsey/">Ross Ramsey</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/emily-ramshaw/">Emily Ramshaw</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/reynolds-john/">John Reynolds</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/rocha-alana/">Alana Rocha</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jay-root/">Jay Root</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/neena-satija/">Neena Satija</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/evan-smith/">Evan Smith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/morgan-smith/">Morgan Smith</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/patrick-svitek/">Patrick Svitek</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/">Alexa Ura</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/edgar-walters/">Edgar Walters</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/matthew-watkins/">Matthew Watkins</a> </dd> </div> </dl> <div id="footer_topics" class="cell w-3"> <h6>Sections</h6> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/economy/" data-section="economy"> Economy </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/education/" data-section="education"> Education </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/" data-section="energy-and-environment"> Energy & Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/government/" data-section="government"> Government </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/health-and-human-services/" data-section="health-and-human-services"> Health & Human Services </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/law-and-order/" data-section="law-and-order"> Law & Order </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/people/" data-section="people"> People </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/" data-section="politics"> Politics </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/race-and-immigration/" data-section="race-and-immigration"> Race & Immigration </a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/transportation/" data-section="transportation"> Transportation </a></li> </ul> </div> <dl id="offsite_outlets" class="cell w-3"> <dt>TT Social Media</dt> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://facebook.com/texastribune" title="Facebook" class="external"><span class="favicon facebook"></span>Facebook</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://twitter.com/texastribune" title="Twitter" class="external"><span class="favicon twitter"></span>Twitter</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://youtube.com/user/thetexastribune" title="YouTube" class="external"><span class="favicon youtube"></span>YouTube</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://instagram.com/texas_tribune" title="Instagram" class="external"><span class="favicon instagram"></span>Instagram</a> </dd> <dd> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-tribune" title="LinkedIn" class="external"><span class="favicon linkedin"></span>LinkedIn</a> </dd> <dd class="hidden"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/https://plus.google.com/116406259333166116089" class="external" rel="publisher">Google+</a> </dd> </dl> <ul id="footer_nav" class="cell w-3"> <li>© 2015 The Texas Tribune</li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/about/" title="About Us">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/support-us/donors-and-members/" title="Who Funds Us?">Who Funds Us?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/terms-of-service/" title="Terms of Service">Terms of Service</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/ethics/" title="Code of Ethics">Code of Ethics</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/privacy/" title="Privacy Policy">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#573e3926223e253e32241723322f362423253e3522393279382530" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/corrections/" title="Corrections">Corrections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/feeds/" title="Feeds">Feeds</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/mobile/" title="Mobile">Mobile</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/advertise/" class="advertise">Advertise</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/signup/" title="Newsletter Signup">Newsletter Signup</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20150407205206/http://www.texastribune.org/donate/" title="Donate" class="donate">Donate</a> </li> </ul> </div> </footer> </div> <div class="hide-for-medium-down"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="1x1" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_Invisible_1x1"> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206js_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/COMPRESSED/js/38cc1e8308b2.js"></script> <script> tt.ads.addTarget("secSlug", "economy/"); try { tt.ads.addTarget("is_member", "no"); tt.ads.addTarget("logged_in", "no"); var tt = tt || {}; tt.username = ''; } catch(e) {} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> window._tpm = window._tpm || []; window._tpm['paywallID'] = '36783210'; window._tpm['trackPageview'] = true; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206js_/http://code.tinypass.com/tpl/d1/tpm.js"></script> <script> (function(){ function loadAddThis() { var addthis = document.createElement('script'); addthis.src = document.location.protocol+'//web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-53beb39e1b9725fb&domready=1'; addthis.type = 'text/javascript'; addthis.async = true; var at = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; at.parentNode.insertBefore(addthis, at); } window.onload(loadAddThis()); })(); </script>  <script type="text/javascript"> _qevents.push( { qacct:"p-f74d4O38hiiiM"} ); </script> <noscript> <div style="display: none;"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206im_/http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-f74d4O38hiiiM.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="Quantcast"/> </div> </noscript>  <script type="text/javascript"> var _sf_async_config={}; /** CONFIGURATION START **/ _sf_async_config.uid = 14324; _sf_async_config.domain = 'texastribune.org'; if (window.tt && tt.currentPage) { if (tt.currentPage.sections) { _sf_async_config.sections = tt.currentPage.sections.join(','); } if (tt.currentPage.authors) { _sf_async_config.authors = tt.currentPage.authors.join(','); } else if (tt.currentPage.authorsText) { _sf_async_config.authors = tt.currentPage.authorsText; } } /** CONFIGURATION END **/ (function(){ function loadChartbeat() { window._sf_endpt=(new Date()).getTime(); var e = document.createElement('script'); e.setAttribute('language', 'javascript'); e.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); e.setAttribute('src', (('https:' == document.location.protocol) ? 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/https://a248.e.akamai.net/chartbeat.download.akamai.com/102508/' : 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150407205206/http://static.chartbeat.com/') + 'js/chartbeat.js'); document.body.appendChild(e); } var oldonload = window.onload; window.onload = (typeof window.onload != 'function') ? loadChartbeat : function() { oldonload(); loadChartbeat(); }; })(); </script> <script> (function() { jQuery.scrollDepth(); })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ (function(){try{var s,a,i,j,r,c,l=document.getElementsByTagName("a"),t=document.createElement("textarea");for(i=0;l.length-i;i++){try{a=l[i].getAttribute("href");if(a&&a.indexOf("/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection") > -1 && (a.length > 28)){s='';j=27+ 1 + a.indexOf("/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection");if (a.length > j) {r=parseInt(a.substr(j,2),16);for(j+=2;a.length>j&&a.substr(j,1)!='X';j+=2){c=parseInt(a.substr(j,2),16)^r;s+=String.fromCharCode(c);}j+=1;s+=a.substr(j,a.length-j);}t.innerHTML=s.replace(/</g,"<").replace(/>/g,">");l[i].setAttribute("href","mailto:"+t.value);}}catch(e){}}}catch(e){}})(); /* ]]> */ </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

ECONOMY | The Texas Tribune