Longer term limits will not be on the May ballot, but the council may consider putting the issue to voters in November.
Local
Will Dallas’ Mayor and City Council Reform or Eliminate the Police Department?
Arguments for real accountability and transparency of the police are being drowned out by calls to reallocate taxpayer funds from the police toward growing government.
North Texas Grassroots React to Contact Tracing
“It is not now, nor will it ever be, the role of the government to keep us healthy, but instead to protect our freedom to do so ourselves as we see fit,” said Jackie Schlegel.
Several Austin City Council Members Tell Police Chief to Resign
Chief Manley faces turmoil from recent violent protests and socialist groups crying for the city council to defund the police department.
Commentary: The Virus’ Uneven Path
In its most recent update, the Texas Workforce Commission reported 286,000 unemployment benefit claims across the Houston region, the highest number in the state.
MOST RECENT
Middleman in Dallas Money Laundering Scheme Sent to Prison
Another conspirator is sentenced for his role in the multimillion-dollar Dallas County Schools public corruption scandal that toppled the taxpayer-subsidized bus bureaucracy.
14 Candidates Seek Appointment to Amarillo School Board
School board appointment process attracts a large field to replace Blanchard and McCown.
Officials Refuse to Release Full Panther Island Review to Public
Excerpts from a report on the taxpayer-funded Panther Island Project reveal “insufficient” transparency among the problems plaguing downtown Fort Worth’s billion-dollar boondoggle.
Taxpayers Call for Refund of Paxton Prosecutor Fees
Collin County commissioners consider options to claw back hundreds of thousands in unlawful fees paid to court-appointed attorneys at taxpayer expense.
Presidio County Declares Itself “Second Amendment Sanctuary”
The Presidio County commissioners court voted to declare the county a gun rights sanctuary.
Amarillo School Board Approves District Pay Increases
Teachers will see a 4 percent pay increase during the upcoming fiscal year.
Mayor Claims Property Tax Reform Threatens Homestead Exemptions
McKinney developer-turned-mayor says cities may respond to new limits on property tax increases by eliminating exemptions.
Rory McKinney Declares Candidacy for Midland County Sheriff
Chief Deputy Rory McKinney, a 33-year employee, seeks to serve as the next sheriff of Midland County.
Homelessness in Austin: Problem Solved or Problem Created?
Overbearing regulations imposed by local government appear to be the source of the homeless issue and continue to remain unresolved by the city’s new ordinance.
Willis Councilwoman Charged with Felony Tampering
Councilwoman who goes by “Ms Tam Sexy Blonde” turned herself in to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office.
ARCHIVE
Sen. Carona would rather do the wrong thing… on taxes?
State Senator John Carona (R-Dallas) is quoted by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as saying that he'd rather "something wrong than do nothing." The sad thing is that in this case, the "wrong thing" he'd rather do is raise local taxes to pay for more wasteful mass transit spending, than "do nothing" which apparently includes making local governments squeeze more effiency out of their spending programs.
Houston Chronicle notes TFR
The Houston Chronicle's Janet Elliott noted in her blog this week the creation of TFR.
Howard About That! Legislator Files Bill to Fix Spending Limitation
As we reported earlier on this blog, we have urged the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) to adopt growth in gross state product instead of tot
al personal incomes as the index for measuring growth in the state's economy for purposes of calculating the constitutional spending limitation. Making this change would mean that Texas politicians could increase state spending by at least $3-$6 billion dollars less in the 2008-09 biennium than they could otherwise.
DallasBlog notes TFR’s launch
DallasBlog.com contributor (and editor of the Lone Star Report) Will Lutz noted the formation of TFR in a posting this morning. You can read his post here.
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Austin American-Statesman notes TFR formation
On the "Postcards from the Lege" section of the Statesman's website, reporter Mike Ward noted the formation of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility. Check out his actual posting here.
Sullivan to lead Texans for Fiscal Responsibility
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New organization offers vision, leadership on tax relief, spending reforms Advocacy efforts focused on promoting sound fiscal policy among lawmakers, taxpayers |
AUSTIN, Texas – Unveiled in Austin today is a new organization, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, developed to promote government accountability to taxpayers and citizens. The mission of TFR is to create and sustain a system of strong fiscal stewardship within all levels of state government that serves to empower all Texans.
Board chairman and Midland businessman Tim Dunn announced that the organization will be headed Michael Quinn Sullivan. Sullivan comes to TFR from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, where he served as vice president and director of media and government relations. TFR was originally founded in early 2006 as Empower Texans.