In a 3-2 vote, the commissioners voted against funding a partnership with Trinity Metro.
Local
Austin Mayor’s Coronavirus Hypocrisy
The mayor ditched blind justice to instead discriminate against Austinites.
Ector County GOP Votes to Censure Abbott on Independence Day
The Ector County GOP in Odessa has censured Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, citing constitutional overreach in his executive orders, sparking other counties to consider following suit.
Austin Mayor Considering Shutting Down City Again
After city officials’ last shutdown forced at least 132,000 Austinites out of work and into a potential new crisis, the mayor is considering doing it again.
Plano Passes Mask Order With No Penalties
City officials chose to recommend, rather than require, mask-wearing to help slow the spread of coronavirus in the community.
MOST RECENT
Amarillo College Eyeing Property Tax Increase
The college’s board of regents backs the first reading of a 2-cent tax increase.
Harlingen Eyes Property Tax Hike
Before tax reform legislation goes into effect next year, city officials are seeking to raise property taxes by 4 cents.
Frisco Recommends Raising Property Taxes
Frisco’s proposed 2019-20 budget is based on adopting a property tax rate that raises the average homeowner’s property tax bill.
Keller Joining Property Tax Revolution
Proposed budget and tax rate would make the average homeowner’s city property tax bills lower than last year.
Conroe Proposes Property Tax Hike Ahead of State-Mandated Cutoff
Ahead of Senate Bill 2’s mandated limit on property taxes, Conroe joins a long list of Texas cities attempting to raise rates before the law goes into effect.
Austin Crisis: The Man Behind the Curtain
What is really causing Austin’s homeless crisis?
Commentary: Saginaw Adds New Debt Without Asking Voters
Last Tuesday’s tax note decision marks a significant turning point in our city’s fiscally conservative history.
Commentary: What Should Taxpayers Know About Property Taxes?
As your local governments are setting your property tax rates, here’s what you need to know.
Midland School Board to Vote on $569M Bond
The district will consider a November bond election today at their August 19 meeting. If passed, it would result in a property tax rate increase.
Commentary: Have Fun Storming the Castle, Boys!
It’s time to tell the truth about property taxes.
ARCHIVE
Taxpayer-Funded Skate Park and Gym in Austin and Tomball
On Tuesday, Austinites can attend a forum on the design of a new $1.25 million BMX/skate park that was approved by voters as part of a larger bond in 2006. Meanwhile, the town of Tomball is considering spending $4 to $12 million in taxpayer funds on a sports arena, which would have many features provided by private gyms like Liftetime Fitness at no cost to taxpayers.
DFW Could Be on Fast Track to Higher Taxes
A Dallas Morning News editorial today indicates that proposals for new taxes to fund rail expansion have gone beyond the 1 cent sales tax increase to include a bevy of additional options, such as significant increases in the fuel tax and vehicle registration fee, as well as a “new resident impact fee” that would add $100 to the vehicle registration fee for each new North Texas resident.
Tyroch the Taxer
Temple’s taxpayers must be looking forward to a Tyroch-free city council, with attendant possibility of lower taxes. But the rest of us still have cause for worry. As a member of the city council, she raised taxes and grew spending repeatedly, and unnecessarily. Any guesses what she’ll do in the Legislature if she wins next month’s special election?
Button-Babble: ‘Best Solutions Not In My Mind’
If nothing else, the House District 112 run-off race may prove to be entertaining. Conservative leader Randy Dunning is facing moderate-to-liberal Angie Button. And, it seems, Angie is hard at work demonstrating why she isn’t qualified for the post.
Yep, Haggerty Was Sunk
Liberal Republican Pat Haggerty is now a former state representative — thanks to his horrible record. He beat himself by constantly subjecting his constituency to higher taxes, more spending, and a host of bad ideas. Haggerty’s election-night party at the Titanic Ball Room proved to prophetic; his ship is sunk.
That Sinking Feeling…
In what we hope might be the most appropriate election night party imaginable, El Paso Republican Pat Haggerty is having his at the “Titanic Ballroom.” No, I’m not making this up. Brandi Grissom of the El Paso Times noted this little bit of irony up on her blog this afternoon.
If It Doesn’t Bankrupt Us First, This Train Could Kill
Unsettling, if not unexpected, news from the world of mass transit. It seems that not only is the Austin passenger train system costing more than expected, but it just might kill you.
Which Delwin Jones Is This?
There must be are two men named Delwin Jones. One campaigns in Lubbock as a conservative. The other legislates in Austin like a liberal.
Conventional Tactics Cost Taxpayers
Conventional waste is coming to Dallas, with the city council planning to purchase a plot of downtown land on which to build an attached Dallas Convention Center hotel. The purchase of land is estimated to set taxpayers back up to $41.3 million.
Reading, Writing & Spending
Austin school trustees have been up to their favorite extracurricular activity: spending your money. Next month voters will be asked to approve a $345 million bond package according to the Austin American Statesman.