INSIDER
Texas must build hundreds of thousands of homes to lower housing costs, says state comptroller
Read full article: Texas must build hundreds of thousands of homes to lower housing costs, says state comptrollerTexas needs hundreds of thousands more homes than it has, per one estimate. That shortage has driven up home prices and rents.
Gulf Coast petrochemical growth draws billions in tax breaks despite pollution violations
Read full article: Gulf Coast petrochemical growth draws billions in tax breaks despite pollution violationsA new report by the Environmental Integrity Project compiled data on every U.S. plastics plant built, expanded or proposed since 2012, revealing massive growth in Texas.
How a state effort to fund Texas schools equitably is shortchanging dozens of rural districts
Read full article: How a state effort to fund Texas schools equitably is shortchanging dozens of rural districtsFor decades, the Texas comptrollerās office has double-checked property valuations across the state, which help determine how much school districts can levy in property taxes. But when state and county appraisers disagree, districts can end up with big holes in their budgets.
Texas will spend billions to connect the state with broadband. But is it clear which neighborhoods need help?
Read full article: Texas will spend billions to connect the state with broadband. But is it clear which neighborhoods need help?On the eve of a historic investment in connecting the Lone Star State, advocates worry maps that will help establish which communities get funding have bad information.
How could Texas spend its record $32.7 billion surplus?
Read full article: How could Texas spend its record $32.7 billion surplus?If Texasā budget surplus were distributed directly to Texans, it could pay for 12 years of school lunches, seven months of rent or 11,000 miles of travel. Hereās how to put the big number into perspective.
Texas lawmakers will have $188.2 billion available for the next budget after record-breaking revenue growth
Read full article: Texas lawmakers will have $188.2 billion available for the next budget after record-breaking revenue growthItās far more money than legislators have ever had at their disposal, with an increase in available funds that dwarfs any previous jumps between cycles. Itās also more money than lawmakers can constitutionally spend.
Texas Supreme Court says it canāt force the state to process deluge of applications for tax break expiring this year
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court says it canāt force the state to process deluge of applications for tax break expiring this yearThe program, known as Chapter 313, provides companies with billions of dollars in property tax breaks. The court said it is up to the Legislature to make the call on what to do as the program is set to expire and the state is swamped with applications.
Republican Glenn Hegar defeats Janet Dudding to keep his state comptroller job for third term
Read full article: Republican Glenn Hegar defeats Janet Dudding to keep his state comptroller job for third termDuring the campaign, Hegar touted his work on lowering taxes and expanding broadband in Texas, reforming the tax code, reducing regulations on agriculture and pushing for government transparency.
Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding voters heās a Republican ahead of his November election
Read full article: Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding voters heās a Republican ahead of his November electionHegar, who is running for his third term as Texas comptroller of public accounts, has made increasingly provocative moves in recent weeks, challenging financial companies he says are anti-oil and gas and threatening budget sanctions against Harris County over police funding.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joins other key Republicans in supporting repealing the ātampon taxā
Read full article: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joins other key Republicans in supporting repealing the ātampon taxāAdvocates have previously called for repealing the sales tax on products like tampons, sanitary pads and pantyliners. Menstrual products are already tax-free in 24 states.
Analysis: Every so often, Texas government needs a reboot
Read full article: Analysis: Every so often, Texas government needs a rebootPerformance reviews of state government are an exercise in separating the operation of government ā how things work ā from the direction of government ā what, in broader terms, government should do. The nuts and bolts on one hand, the vision thing on the other.
Texas Democratic Party leadership election roiled by accusation that a candidate shoved a staffer
Read full article: Texas Democratic Party leadership election roiled by accusation that a candidate shoved a stafferWitnesses say Kim Olson pushed the partyās top staffer during a bus tour in 2018. Olson denies the allegation.