State Capital Highlights
Wildfire chances increasing across state
The risk for wildfires across the state has risen along with the hot and dry conditions, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Wildfire chances increasing across state
The risk for wildfires across the state has risen along with the hot and dry conditions, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Patrick issues gag order ahead of trial
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last week issued a sweeping gag order ahead of the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Houston Chronicle reported, saying “out-of-court statements” by both sides threaten to jeopardize the trial.
The trial is set to begin Sept. 5.
IT’S NO SECRET that recent years have been tough on small businesses and on newspapers. A bipartisan bill—the Community News & Small Business Support Act—that has been introduced in Congress would offer relief to both newspapers and local businesses. For too many newspapers, help can’t come soon enough.
Tax-relief plan headed to governor
Proponents are calling it the “biggest property tax cut in Texas history.” Both chambers of the Texas Legislature passed an $18 billion package during the second special session, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
House Democrats’ tax plan would help renters
Texas House Democrats unveiled a $20.9 billion plan for property tax relief that drops tax rates, increases the homestead exemption, gives annual rebates to renters, and includes pay raises for teachers, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
The newest proposal comes as the Legislature continues wrangling over the issue in the second special session this year.
Dear Texas Panhandle,
Abbott vetoes bills; feud with Patrick grows
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick claimed last week that Gov. Greg Abbott is sabotaging the Senate’s work because of their ongoing feud over which approach to property tax reform is best, The Dallas Morning News reported. Abbott vetoed three bills by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, who has been Patrick’s point senator on increasing homestead exemptions in order to provide tax cuts. As of Friday afternoon, he had vetoed 31 bills.
Central figure in Paxton case charged
The Austin real estate developer who is at the heart of Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment was arraigned on eight federal charges Friday, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Nate Paul was arrested by the FBI on Thursday.
Abbott, Patrick spar over tax relief
Gov. Greg Abbott late last week warned lawmakers to be prepared for several special sessions to pass a tax reform bill that he will accept, as well as a school voucher plan that failed to pass during the regular session.
Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are at odds over how to deliver more than $17 billion in property tax relief, the Austin American-Statesman reported.