A fee paid by millions of Texans and businesses on their electric bills would be abolished in September under a deal made Friday, the Senate’s budget writer said. The fee goes to a fund that helps low-income Texans with their utility bills.
83rd Legislative Session
Posted inState Government
Perry Says He Opposes Part of Budget Deal
With three days before the end of the legislative session, Gov. Rick Perry has revealed his opposition to one portion of a bill considered critical to a budget deal forged between the House and Senate.
Posted inState Government
News App: Tracking the Status of House and Senate Bills
The deadline for bills to win approval from the House and the Senate passed earlier this week, resulting in the death of a lot of legislation. Most of what remains is to reconcile differences between versions of legislation passed by both chambers. Our updated bill apps — one for House bills and one for Senate legislation — detail the results.
Posted in
Politics
Dewhurst’s Run to the Right Falls Short
David Dewhurst, the state’s lieutenant governor for the past decade, started this legislative session looking for some momentous conservative victories. He’s still looking.
Posted in
Politics
Liveblog: What’s Left for the 83rd Legislature
The clock is ticking for lawmakers hard at work to pass prize bills in the final days of the 83rd legislative session. Here’s a look at what’s still outstanding. Check back often: We’ll update this story as deals are brokered or broken.
Posted in
Politics
TribLive: How’d the House Do?
Full video of my 5/23 TribLive conversation debriefing the 83rd Legislature with state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio.
Posted in
State Government
For Perry, Veto is a Seasonal Power
Who is really in power in state government? According to the calendar, the clout is days away from moving firmly to the governor’s office.
Posted in
Public Education
A Possible Deal on Testing, Charter School Bills
After two days of deliberations that culminated Thursday evening with a closed-door meeting with Capitol lobbyists and staff from the governor’s office, it appears leaders in the House and Senate have reached a deal on two high-priority education bills.
Posted in
Health care
TribLive: Branch and Martinez Fischer on Medicaid
At Thursday’s TribLive conversation, state Reps. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, talked about the Legislature’s resistance to expanding Medicaid.
Posted in
Energy
Will Lawmakers Save the Railroad Commission?
UPDATED: If lawmakers don’t do something quickly, the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and gas in the state, could disappear.