Jasper Scherer, Houston Chronicle

Jasper Scherer

Houston Chronicle

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Past:
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  • S.A. Express-News
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  • NationalMortgageNews
  • PolitiFact
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Past articles by Jasper:

Proposal adding billions in funding for Texas public schools gains bipartisan support

Antiquated attendance-based system means state's school districts miss out on funding for 200,000 to 300,000 students a year. → Read More

Former Texas leaders decry bill giving landowners the upper hand in beach access fights

Past Land Commissioners David Dewhurst, Garry Mauro and Jerry Patterson warn that public access to Texas beaches may end if bill passes. → Read More

Leaders of Texas Legislature set battle lines over property tax relief

As House Speaker Phelan promises "the largest property tax cut in Texas history," Lt. Gov. Patrick warns the House plan would "destroy" recent reforms. → Read More

Texas GOP moves to restore business tax breaks, exclude renewables

The old program, Chapter 313, gave manufacturing and energy companies steep initial discounts on their school property taxes in order to lure them to Texas. → Read More

Texas still hasn't informed 3,000 people that crooks copied their driver's licenses. DPS explains why.

People with Asian surnames targeted in scheme to send 'replacement' licenses to Chinese nationals who are in the country illegally. → Read More

Crime ring obtains thousands of replacement Texas driver licenses

Data breach affects 3,000 Texans, and none have been personally notified about the breach, DPS Director Steve McCraw says. → Read More

Texas Republicans take their epic battle against blue cities to a new level

Republicans are looking at a broad crackdown on the types of regulations cities and counties can enact. → Read More

Abbott pushes vouchers, tax relief in agenda-setting State of the State

The governor unveiled seven priorities, including private school vouchers and tougher bail laws, giving the Legislature a head start on major GOP issues. → Read More

Texas Gov. Abbott backs transgender ban for college sports

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is backing a Republican effort to ban transgender college students from competing on the sports team that matches their gender identity. → Read More

Texas lawmakers seek overhaul of bail laws in response to higher violent crime rates

Republicans have made the issue a priority in recent campaigns and legislative sessions, arguing that stricter bail laws are needed to curtail a rise in crime. → Read More

Proposed overhaul of Texas bail laws is aimed at Harris County

State leaders say stricter bail laws are needed to curtail a rise in the number of defendants charged with new crimes while out on bond. → Read More

Harris County defunded police, Texas comptroller says, citing new law

The fight centers on a Texas law passed by the Legislature that bars large counties from cutting law enforcement spending without voter approval. → Read More

Texas House speaker fills key panel with past school voucher opponents

House Speaker Dade Phelan on Wednesday stocked the House Public Education Committee full of lawmakers who have previously opposed private school vouchers. → Read More

Fort Bend U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls reports cybercriminals stole more than $150,000 from his campaign

Former sheriff reported to FBI a $157,626 payment last July to an entity called Misty J Productions, which does not appear to exist. → Read More

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to visit Houston for local GOP fundraiser

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is heading to Houston next month to headline the Harris County Republican Party’s annual fundraising dinner. → Read More

2 years and $4.4 billion in, here's what we know about Abbott's Operation Lone Star border crackdown

Texas Republicans have pumped billions of dollars into an unprecedented border security blitz. Here is what we know about the controversial effort. → Read More

Texas Republicans want $4.6 billion more for border spending, feel ‘zero pressure’ to cut back

After pouring more than $4 billion dollars into Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security crackdown, Texas Republicans plan to spend even more. → Read More

Here’s what the Legislature’s initial budget plans would spend on the Houston area

Legislature earmarks millions for flood control projects, highway expansions, ship channel improvements and a slew of other uses. → Read More

Texas lawmakers unveil initial plan for $15 billion in property tax relief

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick renewed his call to raise the state homestead exemption for school property taxes from $40,000 to $70,000. → Read More

Republican challenge over Harris County state House race dismissed

A Republican candidate's petition challenging his 15-point loss in a Houston-area state House race was dismissed this week by House Speaker Dade Phelan. → Read More