In 2001, Texas Republicans saw expanding college access for certain undocumented students as a way to build an educated workforce. Now, some GOP lawmakers feel only U.S. citizens should receive those benefits.

As low cost of living, housing, job opportunities and the nightlife may attract visitors or even new residents to the Houston area -- a new study shows that more than 70% of residents don’t have money for unexpected expenses.

A new study released by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research explores the financial status of residents in the Houston area.

Texas is slated to spend $51 billion on property tax cuts over the next two years. Some worry that’s unsustainable.

Abbott faces pressure from both sides of the aisle. The prohibition was a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, but some hemp farmers and veterans want it killed.

The Legislature wrapped up without the same drama that defined the end of the last two sessions, with state GOP leaders checking off nearly everything on their to-do lists.

Everything's bigger and better in Texas! That's why WalletHub ranked it among the top 10 best state economies!

A set of property tax cut bills in Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23, are now headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature.

Chevron is laying off more than 200 employees in Texas as it prepares to cut up to 20 percent of its global workforce by the end of next year.

A boost in public school spending, school vouchers, and money for water systems are other highlights of the state budget, which was bolstered by a $24 billion surplus.

The Legislature has approved a conference committee report that lists sales to certain people from China, North Korea, Russia and Iran as threats to national security.

Nearly all of us have found use through Airbnb, whether as a guest or host, but exactly how much of that has benefitted the state? A new report from the vacation rental property breaks it all down.

At least four companies say they are prepared to treat the water well enough to be released into rivers in West Texas. Environmental groups say the state is moving too fast.

Senate Bill 1150, which is on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott, is a rare example of the Texas Legislature regulating the state’s oil and gas industry.

Senate Bill 15, a top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, is part of a broad push by lawmakers to put a dent in the state’s high home prices.

The bill would have withheld some tax dollars from cities that did not comply with state law.

SB 3070, which awaits Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature, would move the lottery game to Texas’ Department of Licensing and Regulation and includes new restrictions on ticket purchases.

A top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the legislation would make it easier to construct homes on smaller lots. A House Democrat briefly killed the bill.

The chamber jettisoned a provision tenants’ advocates warned would make it easier for Texas landlords to evict renters.

Many low-income families would see cuts in health care and food benefits. The state hopes for a big reimbursement for border security spending.

The ban aims to remove products — made legal through a 2019 loophole — that provide a similar high to marijuana and are easily accessible to the general public.

Federal action would be needed to make the change legal. Lawmakers at both the state and federal levels have debated the question for decades.

Gov. Greg Abbott and other leaders have called for a major investment to save the state’s water supply. How to spend the money has caused friction at the Capitol.

U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz hope to fund an operation to kill the parasitic fly before too much damage is done.

The legislation would give ERCOT the ability to turn off power to major consumers in an emergency.

The bill is part of a suite of GOP proposals aimed at curbing the state’s high housing costs — chiefly by allowing more homes to be built.

Providing bigger tax breaks to homeowners is a key component of a deal brokered by Republicans in the Texas Legislature to lower tax bills for Texans.

The Texas Legislature is considering a proposal that would add restrictions on renewable energy expansion.

Consumer Reports says Kroger shoppers have unknowingly been paying full price for scores of items advertised as discounted or on sale, following a monthslong investigation.

With Princeton leading the Texas pack, the state continues to set the pace for the rest of the nation, with seven of the 15 fastest-growing cities.

The Texas House must approve changes to the proposal that were brokered by party leaders. It’s part of a package of bills to bring down property taxes statewide.

For years, nationwide inflation has been a thorn in people’s sides, but could there finally be some relief in sight?

The state attorney general sued Google in 2022, alleging it unlawfully tracked and collected users’ private data.

Texans pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country, putting lawmakers under pressure to tackle rising costs.

The legislation had only pertained to countries the government deemed national security threats. A last-minute change would let the governor add more countries to the ban.

Texas lawmakers have sought to make it easier to build more homes — and harder for neighbors to block projects.

Legislators in the House and Senate have reached an agreement on more property tax relief. But some critics worry the cuts aren’t sustainable forever.

One proposal would allow the attorney general to sue cities and freeze sales tax revenues for up to 90 days.

Republican lawmakers are considering a bill to strengthen the state’s ban on homeless encampments and speed up the eviction process.

The Texas billionaire has said he will drop his position at Landry’s, but will continue his ownership of the Houston Rockets.

After years of claiming that companies selling lottery tickets online could not be regulated, the Texas Lottery Commission voted to ban the practice.

If approved, the legislation would expand one of the state's most popular loan programs with even lower interest rates.

Adam Ashman, president of the Greater Houston Builders Association, says the impact of tariffs is currently limited, primarily affecting products imported from China, such as hardware and lighting.

There’s political urgency for Republicans to deal with housing affordability, especially as surveys find most Texans say housing costs are a top concern.

The lower chamber’s plan largely aligns with the Senate’s proposal and puts billions toward teacher pay, border security and property tax cuts.

State budget watchers — and some Republicans — worry Texas is spending too much on property tax cuts.

As the Texas House prepares to vote on the budget, officials and other experts monitor national policy and state tax revenue.

Supply chain disruptions and policy decisions can significantly change these costs for oil companies — and consumers.

Respondents to a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas survey expressed concern about a reduction in consumer demand and a potential recession.

The lawmakers behind the bill promised there would not be an increase in the number of days the beach is closed.

KPRC spoke to University of Houston economics professor Dietrich Vollrath about the Trump tariffs.

State lawmakers are poised to devote billions to save the state’s water supply. These are some of the ways the state could spend the money.

With eviction rates in Houston surpassing those of New York City, Texas House Bill 32 (HB 32) has gained attention for its potential to speed up the eviction process for renters and landlords.

Only Gov. Greg Abbott can call for a special session. But in his role presiding over the Texas Senate, Patrick can block any bill from passing, giving him leverage to compel overtime sessions by killing must-pass legislation.

The Mega Millions lottery is set to undergo significant changes, starting with a ticket price increase from $2 to $5 each.

Houston Life's Tessa Barrera visits the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook to chat with local officials about the unique business opportunities and economic developments coming to the region this year.

National gas prices plummet, but is this an economic red flag or much-needed relief at the pump

Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Texas’ position as the leading state in job creation, following the release of January employment data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The state’s water supply faces numerous threats. And by one estimate, the state’s municipal supply will not meet demand by 2030 if there’s a severe drought and no water solutions are implemented.

Although the president has said he wants to “get rid of” the act, Rep. Michael McCaul and Sen. John Cornyn say it supports jobs and national security.

As the Edinburg facility and others seek to assist people experiencing food insecurity, state lawmakers have more than a dozen bills that could tackle Texas’ food deserts.

The goal of the new legislation is to help drive down the cost of housing so that more Texans can afford homes.

In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with University of Texas at Austin professor Sherri Greenberg about proposed state laws related to artificial intelligence.

House and Senate lawmakers plan to spend at least $6 billion on property tax cuts, but haven't yet agreed on how much relief should go to homeowners over businesses.

Commercial beekeepers in Texas have lost about two thirds of their honey bees since June last year, according to a recent survey.

The president said Mexico and Canada have failed to curb the flow of drugs into the U.S. after giving the countries 30 days to do so before enacting the tariffs.

A grassroots organization, The People’s Union, is calling for a nationwide economic blackout on Feb. 28 in response to the federal government’s rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Lawmakers will debate how to spend $3.5 billion in proposed tax cuts, a legislative priority for Republican leaders.

Supporters hope easing zoning rules will entice landlords to renovate and ease the state’s housing crisis.

A naturalized citizen, along with other business leaders, are working to create new resources for undocumented people living in the Permian Basin.

Texas is getting more than $3 billion from the federal government to help expand internet access.

The Texas Senate has proposed injecting a staggering half a billion dollars into film production, as economists and fiscal hawks question the return on investment.

If a majority of the roughly 500 residents living around the South Texas site vote yes in May, Starbase will be the state’s newest city.

According to a report by CNBC, Chevron announced plans to reduce its workforce by 15% to 20% as part of a cost-cutting strategy.

The marquee proposal would increase the amount of a home’s value exemption from school taxes to $140,000 from $100,000. The legislation must win approval from the House next.

Lawmakers here and in Washington have long debated ending the practice of changing the clocks twice a year.

Senate Bill 2 now heads to the House, where top officials say they have the support to create education savings accounts.

Gov. Greg Abbott said cutting taxes is a top priority, however, state lawmakers don’t have as much money to plug into tax cuts as they did two years ago.

The tariffs, which also target China, are scheduled to go into effect Tuesday. They prompted immediate efforts to retaliate.

Across the country, dairy producers have dumped milk and infected chickens have been killed, including millions of egg-laying hens, causing egg prices to skyrocket.

After successful campaigns for House allies, the governor is in a position to set an ambitious course for the legislative session.

Trump has vowed punishing tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, which are Texas’ biggest international trading partners.

The Harris County Tax Office will be holding a press conference to discuss important information for property owners in the Houston area as tax season nears.

A massive apartment building boom in the Austin-Round Rock region has driven rents downward, real estate experts and housing advocates have said.

Texas’ population is booming and there is not enough water for everyone. State Sen. Charles Perry hopes to fix that.

The growth is fueling higher rents and home prices in the North Texas city that was once seen as a more affordable option to Dallas and other major cities.

The historical bipartisan legislation includes a bevy of policies from crop insurance to food stamps.

A likely fight over how much power to take away from local governments may dominate the debate.

The legislation includes financial aid and money for recent natural disasters, but farmers still will be relying on outdated provisions from the 2018 bill.

A hurricane and winter freeze devastated the South Texas industry. A lack of water is preventing a full recovery.

In his new role, Rosser will be responsible for helping Texas meet its goal to increase the number of Texans ages 25 to 34 with a postsecondary credential to 60%by 2030.

Citing all the work the company has put into the region, employees are requesting a special election in Cameron County to incorporate a city.

We know our dollars don't stretch as far as it used to at the grocery store, but we wanted to know which stores have the lowest prices on their store brand staples and why they differ between stores.

A comptroller’s report found that deporting the estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas in 2005 would have cost the state about $17.7 billion in gross domestic product.

Patrick contends retailers have exploited a law passed in 2019 to sell unregulated and potentially harmful consumable tetrahydrocannabinol products.

Despite the efforts of local governments and others, the move to provide internet access to millions of Texans has been slow and faces new challenges.

The federal investment follows the $1 billion approved by Texas taxpayers to help connect the state.

Three Texas lawmakers are proposing to increase the state minimum wage, doubling the rate that’s been around for nearly two decades.

Although Texas counties are not required to provide ambulance services, many are digging deep to pay for their own fleet or to contract out services.

It’s unclear how much water resides underneath this booming West Texas tourist haven. That makes conservation critical.