Politics & Policy
May 15, 2014
A Q&A with Mike Collier
The Democratic comptroller candidate takes a stand against politics
Comptroller
Politics & Policy
May 13, 2014
“It Won’t Be Political”
A Q&A with Mike Collier, the Democratic candidate for comptroller.
Politics & Policy
March 31, 2014
The Property-Tax Problem
Glenn Hegar's proposal to eliminate property taxes in Texas could result in a huge spike in the sales tax.
Politics & Policy
February 3, 2014
Grading the Candidates for Comptroller
The four contenders for the Republican primary met last week during the Texas Medical Association's Winter Conference. Did their proposals add up?
Politics & Policy
April 3, 2013
What We Talk About When We Talk About Spending Limits
Don't understand Texas's constitutional spending cap? You've come to the right place.
Politics & Policy
June 27, 2011
Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic
How else to characterize Susan Combs’ statement today detailing senior staff changes in the comptroller’s office? She so doesn’t get it. The problem in the comptroller’s is lack of competence. So what does she do to fix it? She hires a political operative. His name is David White. Here are
Politics & Policy
June 11, 2011
Combs a time
The first order of business, after the special session ends and the long interim begins, is for the Legislature to do something it doesn’t do very often: exercise oversight. Oh, it calls in state agencies for budget hearings, but what it doesn’t do is address problems unless they are obvious.
Politics & Policy
January 12, 2009
Revenue Estimate Looms. Make that “Glooms.”
This morning comptroller Susan Combs will release her revenue estimate of the money that will be available for the Legislature to spend in the next biennium. Expectations are that the estimate will come in showing little or no revenue growth. The state treasury does have a surplus of more than
Politics & Policy
March 1, 1994
John the Knife
He’s a budget cutter in an era of consumption, a conservative Democrat in a party gone soft, a good ol’ boy with no polish or flash. So why is everyone buzzing about Texas comptroller John Sharp?
Politics & Policy
April 1, 1980
The Tragedy of Bob Bullock
Bob Bullock, in his flamboyant style, built a powerful state agency. Then Bob Bullock, in his flamboyant style, was seduced by its power.