87th LegislatureState SenateTaxes & Spending$251 Billion State Budget Passes Texas Senate, Stays Below Target Spending Line
Brad JohnsonApril 6, 2021
The discretionary portion of the Senate's budget is below the population plus inflation line.
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The Back MicThe Back Mic: Senate Finance Chair Talks Budget, Two Electricity Priority Bills Face Opposition, Agency Budget Cuts Up in the Air
Brad JohnsonApril 2, 2021
This week — a look at the state budget, votes on utility reform bills, and agency budget requests.
87th LegislatureIssuesState HouseState SenateStatewide NewsTaxes & SpendingTexas Legislative Budget Board Caps General Spending Increase at 7% for Next Biennium
Brad JohnsonDecember 7, 2020
The legislature cannot appropriate higher than a seven percent increase in general revenue spending for the next biennium when the body convenes in January.
IssuesLocal NewsTaxes & SpendingAmarillo City Council Approves Property Tax Hike and $20 Million Spending Increase
Brad JohnsonSeptember 22, 2020
To pay off existing debt, the city approved a property tax rate increase and while authorizing a $20 million spending increase. The overall budget decreased two percent due to fewer capital improvement plans.
State HouseStatewide NewsTaxes & SpendingExclusive: Texas Freedom Caucus Announces Program to Target Wasteful Spending
Brad JohnsonMay 7, 2020
The Texas House Freedom Caucus announced its "Texas Wastebook" project aimed at highlighting, and then eliminating, wasteful spending.
Taxes & SpendingAs Texas Local Debt Increases $11 Billion, School Districts Lead Local Taxing Entities in Amassed Debt
Brad JohnsonApril 3, 2020
Debt held by local governments substantially increased over the past few years, amounting to 80 percent of the total government debt in Texas.
State HouseState SenateStatewide NewsTaxes & SpendingLegislature to Hold Hearings on Teacher Retirement System’s $326,000-Per-Month Lease
Brad JohnsonFebruary 3, 2020
After KXAN exposed TRS's new lease downtown, members of the Texas legislature have decided to hold hearings on the matter during the interim.
FederalTaxes & SpendingCongressional Budget Office Projects $1.7 Trillion Deficit by 2030
Brad JohnsonJanuary 30, 2020
The CBO's analysis projects the annual deficit in 2030 will be $1.7 trillion with total deficits over the next decade amounting to nearly $13 trillion.
Local NewsTaxes & SpendingWhile Most Texas Counties Increased Their Spending, A Few Showed Fiscal Restraint
Brad JohnsonDecember 12, 2019
Judges in counties that have shown spending restraint discuss the ways they have avoided the tax-and-spend policies of other areas in Texas.
86th LegislatureLocal NewsStatewide NewsTaxes & SpendingTexas Local Governments Increase Debt to $365 Billion in 2019
Brad JohnsonDecember 9, 2019
After the reforms of the 86th Legislature, local entities have increased their collective debt by $11 billion from the last fiscal year.
In what may be one of the most watched congressional races in the country, incumbent Chip Roy will face Democratic challenger Wendy Davis in 2020.
Local NewsStatewide NewsTaxes & SpendingSpending Increases by $650 Million in Texas’ Most Populated Counties
Brad JohnsonNovember 21, 2019
Tarrant County tops the list of largest county government spending increases with a $97 million spending binge going into next year.
FederalTaxes & SpendingRep. Chip Roy Forces Members to Once Again Vote on Government Funding Bill
Brad JohnsonNovember 19, 2019
Congressman Chip Roy has once again objected to unanimous consent and forced House members to actually vote on federal spending.
FederalTaxes & SpendingSenate Overwhelmingly Passes Continuing Resolution, Funding the Government Through November 21
Brad JohnsonSeptember 26, 2019
Five days before a looming government shutdown, the Senate passed the House's continuing resolution to push the deadline to Thanksgiving.
FederalTaxes & SpendingHouse Passes Continuing Resolution, Punts Federal Spending Debate to November
Brad JohnsonSeptember 19, 2019
With a partial government shutdown looming, the Democrat-controlled House extended current funding levels and kicked a federal spending debate to late November.
Battleground 2020Elections 2020FederalIssuesChip Roy’s Raucous San Antonio Townhall Began Unruly, But Finished Civilly
Brad JohnsonAugust 21, 2019
Congressman Chip Roy has gained a high-profile during his short time in Congress after taking firm stances on the border, the budget, and other issues.
86th LegislatureAudioBattleground 2020IssuesStatewide NewsJames Dickey and Konni Burton on The Texan’s Podcast
Ben BillupsAugust 12, 2019
RPT Chairman James Dickey discusses why he is running once again for the chairmanship and outlines his take on the 86th legislative session.
FederalTaxes & SpendingMcConnell and Cornyn Usher Trump-Pelosi Budget Deal Through Senate
Brad JohnsonAugust 1, 2019
The budget deal now moves to President Trump's desk for signature as Congress heads back home for August recess.
86th LegislatureIssuesState HouseState SenateTaxes & SpendingTexas Budget Grows by Almost $15 Billion
Brad JohnsonMay 29, 2019
Texas' 2020-2021 biennium budget is awaiting Governor Greg Abbott's signature and is the only piece of legislation that must be passed each session.
86th LegislatureEducationIssuesState HouseState SenateTaxes & SpendingProperty Taxes, Teacher Pay Raise: What the 86th Legislature’s New Budget Means for Texans
Brad JohnsonMay 27, 2019
The 86th Legislature budgeted over $11 billion on education, teacher pay-raises, and buying-down property taxes while increasing overall spending by almost $35 billion.