Articles

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On Hurricane Harvey Relief

How will Texas help Harvey-ravaged communities? By Kiah Collier February 13, 2019   In September 2017, weeks after the remnants of Hurricane Harvey ravaged his city, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner sparked what became a high-profile spat with Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Facing mounting clean-up costs, Turner — a Democrat and former longtime state lawmaker — …

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Texas Tribune: Under the Dome

Watch this: The Texas Tribune’s latest episode in the “Under the Dome” series is out today. This one looks at the challenges state lawmakers face this session in addressing school finance and property tax reform — two issues that have been earmarked by state leaders as priorities. The state of Gov. Greg Abbott’s emergency items: …

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State of the State: Governor Greg Abbott

Governor Greg Abbott today delivered his State of the State, naming property taxes and school finance reform emergency items.  The Texas Tribune reports on the address, and you can see the full transcript of his remarks here. From the Tribune: “Speaking in the Texas House to both chambers of the Legislature, Abbott named as emergency …

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Tribune: Top Leaders Announce Property Tax Plan

From The Texas Tribune Texas leaders want voters to OK property tax revenue growth over 2.5 percent. They couldn’t get 4 percent in 2017. The leaders of both legislative chambers say they will be united this year — even if cities and counties push back — and that local officials should come to Austin with …

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Member News: New subdivision could multiply Elmendorf’s population

From KSAT By Garrett Brnger – Reporter City of ‘pretty close to about 2,000’ prepares for 3,500-home subdivision   ELMENDORF, Texas – Elmendorf is a small, sleepy city on the verge of possibly multiplying its population with an enormous new subdivision. “There’s been some growth over these years, but nothing quite as dramatic as what …

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Analysis: Property taxes in Texas are high. Don’t expect the Legislature to change that

Texas leaders are promising property tax relief during this year’s legislative session. It’s unlikely that will lower your taxes, but it might slow future increases.  The Texas Tribune’s Ross Ramsey’s column looks at the ongoing battle over property taxes in Texas.   Restrain, reform, rein in, restrict and limit are not synonyms for the word …

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Charlotte homebuilders suing city for millions

From the Charlotte Observer: A dozen of the largest homebuilders in Charlotte have filed a class-action lawsuit against the city of Charlotte, seeking the return of millions of dollars worth of fees for sewer and water connections they claim were unlawfully charged. The federal lawsuit was filed last week in Charlotte, and alleges the city …

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State Budgets Filed – Let the Negotiating Begin

Texas House proposes massive increase for public school funding The proposed budget would increase state funds for education by about 17 percent but cut funding for health and human services by about 3 percent. The lower chamber wants to pump roughly $7 billion more state funds into public schools, the Texas Tribune’s Edgar Walters reports, …

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