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Tighter Spending Cap May Keep Billions Out of Budget

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (right) and House Speaker Joe Straus listened to testimony on the cost of the continuing border surge during the Legislative Budget Board hearing's on Dec.1, 2014.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (right) and House Speaker Joe Straus listened to testimony on the cost of the continuing border surge during the Legislative Budget Board hearing's on Dec.1, 2014.

Depending on your political leanings, the spending cap state lawmakers set this week was either too low, too high or just right. Regardless, the arcane measure could effectively block lawmakers from accessing billions of dollars in state revenue.

Reaction to Train Plan Less Rosy in Rural Texas

Japan Central's N700 high speed train, the same train that a private firm wants to bring to Texas.
Japan Central's N700 high speed train, the same train that a private firm wants to bring to Texas.

A private company's plan to spend billions of dollars to develop a bullet train connecting Dallas and Houston has drawn strong support from the two cities. But reaction from communities along the 240-mile route has been mixed.

Hegar Resigns Senate Seat; Dec. 6 Special Election Set

Glenn Hegar, who was elected state comptroller in November 2014, is shown at the State Republican Convention on June 6, 2014.
Glenn Hegar, who was elected state comptroller in November 2014, is shown at the State Republican Convention on June 6, 2014.

State Sen. Glenn Hegar sent a letter to Gov. Rick Perry Friday resigning his Senate seat as of Dec. 5. The Katy Republican will be sworn in as comptroller in January. A Dec. 6 special election for his seat was announced later Friday.

Cornyn Picked to Be Next Senate Majority Whip

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is interviewed by Karen Tumulty of The Washington Post at the Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 20, 2014.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is interviewed by Karen Tumulty of The Washington Post at the Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 20, 2014.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas will be the Senate's next majority whip, Republicans in the upper chamber decided Thursday. The majority whip is tasked with counting votes and helping communicate the majority leader’s position.