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Poll: Texans willing to pay higher taxes for teacher pay, water (UDPATE)
Seventy-four percent of registered voters would be willing to pay more in taxes to raise teacher pay, according to a new poll by the non-partisan, non-profit Texas Lyceum leadership group. They...
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Straus stays “serious” on roads, water and education
House Speaker Rep. Joe Straus » Photo by Harry Cabluck, Associated Press Speaker of the House Joe Straus laid out his agenda – roads, water and education – for the 83rd Legislative session Monday as...
View ArticleTexas senators want water projects prioritized
Texas lawmakers are rallying behind the idea of investing as much as $2 billion to help pay for new reservoirs, pipelines and other water-supply projects for the drought-plagued state. The question is,...
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A way around the spending cap for water and highways
Lt. Gov. Dewhurst Senate leaders are working on a proposal to set up revolving loan funds for water infrastructure and transportation that would be outside the state spending cap because they’d be...
View ArticleWilliams’ surprise plan would tap Rainy Day Fund for $6B
The legislature refused to tap into the state’s Rainy Day fund two years ago when the state faced a $27 billion shortfall, but a proposal unanimously passed the Senate Finance Committee Thursday...
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House budget chief has reservations about rainy-day bill he’s carrying
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts has reservations about taking money from the rainy day fund for education, as backed by the Senate Tuesday. Pitts supports additional money for...
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Perry raises specter of special session over tax relief, water plan
Gov. Perry at Special Olympics Torch Run 2013 Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday it’s too early to draw a line in the sand about what lawmakers need to do on issues, including tax relief, if they want to...
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House budget chief: Negotiators nearing agreement on schools, water
Rep. Pitts Leading lawmakers are working toward a budget agreement that would allocate $3.2 billion to public schools and invest $2 billion in water infrastructure, House Appropriations Committee...
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Budget hardball
Speaker Straus Budget negotiators who have been trying to finalize a deal on how much to spend on public schools, how to get $2 billion for long-neglected water infrastructure and other key issues...
View ArticleLeague of Women Voters of Texas back proposed water amendment
The League of Women Voters of Texas endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment Monday that would pump $2 billion into state water projects from the state’s Rainy Day Fund if voters approve the...
View ArticlePoll: Texans appear to favor spending on roads over water
AUSTIN — Texans support a Nov. 5 ballot proposition to spend $2 billion from the state’s rainy day fund for water infrastructure projects but appear more willing to shell out cash to fix roads and...
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House speaker’s water PAC raises almost $1 million
House Speaker Joe Straus is leading a campaign to sway voters to approve a water measure on next month’s constitutional amendment ballot. (AP Photo) AUSTIN — A political action committee headed by...
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Governor Perry to Congress: ‘Sit down with the president and go to work’
AUSTIN -Gov. Rick Perry, asked his advice regarding the Washington standoff, urged negotiation. “The first step is recognizing, listen, we’re not going to get everything we want, but people don’t...
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Mega corps, special interests boost Straus water PAC
House Speaker Joe Straus, joined by members of El Paso’s legislative delegation, promotes Proposition 6 on Oct. 28, 2013, in El Paso. photo by: Julián Aguilar/Texas Tribune AUSTIN — A who’s who of mega...
View ArticleFormer Longview rep formally announces bid for agriculture commissioner
AUSTIN — The number of candidates in the crowded Republican race for agriculture commissioner grew Tuesday as former state Rep. Tommy Merritt of Longview formally cast his bid. Speaking outside of the...
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