“This opinion is a very big deal for those who care about election integrity.”
State
As Session Begins, Pro-Life Legislation Filed in Texas
A look at four pro-life bills currently filed in the Texas Legislature.
Texas Budget Process Begins
Neither the House or Senate budget proposals rely on increased taxes or tap into the rainy day fund.
Dean McWilliams: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbyist
Texas Scorecard examines Texas’ highest-paid lobbyists.
Texas GOP Vice Chair Says Party Should Avoid ‘Narrowly Focusing’ on Priorities
Her comments were in contrast to recent actions taken by the party since Chairman Allen West was elected to lead the Texas GOP in July of last year.
MOST RECENT
Democrat Crushed in Fort Bend County Runoff
Gary Gates defeats Eliz Markowitz in House District 28 special election runoff.
Texans for Courageous Courts Endorses 5 Judicial Candidates
New project aims to promote judicial candidates who will demonstrate courage on the bench.
Texas Ramps Up Fight for Election Integrity
Texas Public Policy Foundation announces a new initiative to combat election corruption and voter fraud.
Commentary: Lessons for Texans from Virginia Second Amendment Rally
The grassroots are powerful and need to flex their muscle more often so that politicians will take note.
Straus Gives Campaign Cash to Old Friends
The former Speaker of the Texas House is sending donations to those who assisted his reign of obstruction.
Voting Underway in Texas House Special Runoffs
Voters in House Districts 28, 100, and 148 head back to the polls starting January 21 for special runoff elections to fill vacant seats.
Commentary: The Fight to Keep Judicial Elections in Texas
Judges should have the courage to be accountable to the voters, and risk being removed from office should they let their personal biases be put ahead of the citizens.
Teacher Retirement System to Spend $326K a Month on Rent
Space in Indeed Tower is expected to be one of the most sought-after locations for companies seeking extravagant downtown accommodations in close proximity to the city’s bar district.
Former Straus Staffer Hired as Top Lobbyist for Texas Cities
Speaker Straus’ former chief of staff has been hired by the taxpayer-funded Texas Municipal League to lobby against taxpayers in 2021.
Maryland Judge Blocks Abbott’s Rejection of Additional Refugees
A Clinton appointee has temporarily halted an executive order by President Trump that allows states to opt out of refugee resettlement.
ARCHIVE
Job-Killing New Business Tax Exposed
The San Antonio Express-News reports that new National Federation of Independent Business radio ads assail the business tax that will take its first toll in May. The ads note some small businesses will see their tax burden rise by 1,000 percent over the current franchise tax.
And They Wonder Why We Don’t Trust Them
On the one hand, transportation officials tell us that they just don’t have the funds available to build roads. Yet on the other hand, toll roads dollars are being used to let executives take European vacations complete with first-class and business-class airline seats.
Bailing Out Tourist Attractions That Fail To Attract Tourists
Why must the taxpayers be on the hook to pay for the indulgences of the politically connected? A case in point is the alleged tourist attraction known as the “Texas State Railroad†running between Palestine and Rusk. I say alleged because it doesn’t attract enough tourists to keep it afloat. No worries, lawmakers just force you to pay for a service none of us apparently want to use.
Campaign Conservatives, Legislative Liberals
When we consider the lack of progress on important fiscal reforms, the blame lies almost exclusively with a small group of legislators who campaign as if they are budget conservatives, but legislate like liberals.
Red-Light Funds
Proceeds from all those new red-light cameras are flowing into the state coffers – but the money isn’t being spent like people were told it would be. Oh, the shock and surprise.
State Fines Blanco County Taxpayers $80k Over Courthouse Windows
This story shows just how dysfunctional big government can be. The Texas Historical Commission is taking $80k from Blanco County taxpayers because the County, following a hail storm, replaced its wooden courthouse windows with acrylic windows that are virtually indistinguishable but considerably less expensive.Â
Keffer’s Return
Texas taxpayers are getting an early Christmas present. Bill Keffer is running in House District 107.
Gross Tax
If anything demonstrates the folly of placing tax-cut rhetoric over the reality of spending restraint, it’s the creation of the state’s Gross Margins Tax by Republicans last year.
Tax Equity
More than two dozen members of the Texas Legislature are calling on Congress to maintain the sales tax deduction for Texans on our federal income taxes. Unless Congress acts, we’ll again lose this important protection.
Examining Agency Advocacy
State Sen. Dan Patrick and State Rep. Ken Paxton are wanting a formal review of the use of taxpayer money by the Texas Department of Transportation and other agencies on advertising. According to the Houston Chronicle, "the tally for advertising, publications and promotional items is easily close to $100 million or more in state and federal funds just for fiscal year 2008."