Tag: The Texas Tribune

Each year, taxpayers pay more money to these taxing entities and now are demanding relief from lawmakers. Next week, legislators will resume the debate on how to lower property taxes across the state. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins is closely watching the deliberations. He joined host Jason Whitely and Bud Kennedy of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. This extra revenue would help pay for education and lower Texas’ high property taxes as well. Texas Tribune reporter Alan Rocha, filling in for Ross Ramsey, joined host Jason Whitely to discuss Governor Abbott’s proposal. Last week on Inside Texas Politics two councilmen offered Chief Hall some advice. Opponents say that legislation that would allow licensed professionals to discriminate against clients because of their religious beliefs is as bad as the bathroom bill. Business leaders are warning that this bill could hurt Texas. Alana, Bud and Berna Dean joined host Jason Whitely to offer perspective on Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen’s face-to-face with a gun rights activist.

Inside Texas Politics began with Democratic U.S. Rep.-elect Colin Allred (TX-32). Rep.-elect Colin discussed his reason for supporting House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for House Speaker. He joined host Jason Whitely and Bud Kennedy from the Star-Telegram. Ross Ramsey, co-founder and executive editor of the Texas Tribune, joined host Jason Whitely to discuss whether the number of new state representatives and state senators going to Texas in January will diminish North Texas’ influence. In this week’s My Voice, My Opinion contributor Debbie Georgatos, from 660AM The Answer, said that's why politics should remain top of mind this holiday season. 67) discussed his future and why he left the powerful House Freedom Caucus. He joined host Jason Whitely. From the right, former Dallas County Republican Chairman Wade Emmert. Ross, Bud, and Berna Dean discussed whether the undocumented kids spending Christmas in the camp in Tornillo have been forgotten as time has dragged on. The three also gave perspective on the future of the Texas House Freedom Caucus.

2018 Turkey Awards - Segment one Inside Texas Politics began with its decade-long tradition of presenting Turkey awards during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Turkey legs were given to politicians or political organizations that performed well, and gizzards were given to the ones who struggled during the year. Those who received awards were Congressman Beto O'Rourke, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, Colin Allred and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and his brother former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro. Other recipients were Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Senator Don Huffines and his bother Phillip, President Donald Trump and the Dallas County Republican Party. 2018 Turkey Awards - Segment two The Turkey Awards continue with leftovers left to be handed out. Recipients are Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife Angela, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Voters in the midterm election, the Fire Cruz Pac, Texas and Dallas County Democrats, and Republican straight-ticket voting reformers. Some of these recipients won’t get the award many might expect them to receive. 2018 Turkey Awards - Segment three There are only four more left – two more legs and two more gizzards. The recipients are the women who won races during the midterm elections, Dallas DA Faith Johnson, State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, and non-profit organization Empower Texans.

He discussed the school district’s long-range facilities plan. Dr. Hinojosa joined host Marie Saavedra and Bud Kennedy, of the Star-Telegram. Alana joined host Marie Saavedra to discuss why Governor Greg Abbott, a Catholic, hadn’t made a public statement about the announcement. Alana also talked about the new Quinnipiac and Upshot polls showing Senator Ted Cruz maintaining a nine percentage point lead over challenger Congressman Beto O’Rourke. Governor Gregg Abbott and challenger Lupe Valdez met in their first and only debate about two weeks ago. The two discussed their positions concerning Texas having a red flag law as a way to prevent school shootings. From the right - Mark Davis - of 660AM The Answer. And from the left - Rich Hancock - from VirtualNewsCenter.com. Alana, Bud and Berna Dean discussed whether the PAC ad will help or hurt O’Rourke. The three journalists also offered perspective on whether young voters will actually vote in November.

J. Bruce Bugg, Texas Transportation Commission chairman, said the Texas Department of Transportation continues to focus funding on building highways because 93 percent of Texans drive, and they have to listen to population preferences. Texans are growing increasingly wary of expensive toll roads, so State Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, said it is important to keep an open mind to alternative transportation, such as Texas Central Partner’s proposed high speed rail between Dallas and Houston. We can't say no to everything." “We need funding for transportation alternatives,” Nirenberg said. “There is an unsustainable push toward putting more concrete on our landscape.” Nirenberg said cities should respond to rising populations by creating more equitable and affordable housing. "Housing would be the basic building block of the economy, whether or not a family can afford a roof over their head so they can continue to ... have a job, get to where they want to go for school, afford groceries and medicine,” Nirenberg said. Austin Mayor Steve Adler said he often receives complaints about rising property taxes, which both state and local governments contribute to. As a result, Adler said local governments must be diligent in solving their own infrastructure issues through remaining property tax revenue and federal infrastructure grants. “People expect their city government to be able to perform,” Adler said. “I don’t know how much we can expect at the federal level because it’s so polarized there.” El Paso Mayor Dee Margo said goals of the federal and state governments tend to be incongruent with what local populations are asking for: safer cities, better infrastructure and increased quality of life.

Thirty or so lucky souls were treated to an enlightening public talk between journalist and author Lawrence “Larry” Wright and journalist and Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith. Wright was for it. Smith went on to lead Texas Monthly and now the Texas Tribune, while also interviewing top minds on “Texas Monthly Talks” and then “Overheard with Evan Smith” on public television. Smith then moved on to the main subject for the evening, Wright’s recent book, “God Save Texas: A Journey into the Soul of the Lone Star State,” parts of which have appeared in the New Yorker. Emancipet Luncheon One speaker in town who could give Smith or Wright a run for their money is Amy Mills, CEO of Emancipet, an Austin nonprofit that provides free or low-cost spay, neutering and veterinary care at seven clinics in four cities. The room grew hushed when Mills rose to the stage. After all, she can so cogently and quickly explain a rapidly expanding and sustainable nonprofit, she would likely trounce every other participant at Philanthropitch. With animal welfare partners, they focused not on lost pets, but on vet care for families hit hard by the storm. Ann Richards School It’s impossible to ignore how composed and accomplished they are. The students from the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders are the real celebrities during the annual Reach for the Stars benefit for the Ann Richards School Foundation, now held at Four Seasons Hotel Austin.