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LEAK: Senate Revenues

While the Texas House passed a state budget for 2012-2013 that stays within the taxpayers’ means, a document floating around the Texas Senate carries ideas to bring in new revenues – more than $1 billion through new and increased taxes. It also employs budget mirrors and fiscal smoke.

Rewarding Performance

A bill filed by Reps. William Callegari and Erwin Cain aims to increase government efficiency by emphasizing government employee performance over longevity.

Anti-Corruption Bills

Two state representatives are taking aim at elected officials and public employees who committed felonies during their time in office. The bills represent a great step forward towards bringing more accountability and integrity in government.

And Now Its On To Redistricting

Over the weekend, the Texas House finally got to passing our state’s budget for the next two years with less than half of the legislative session left. Of course the House budget is balanced, and will now go to the Senate where more revenues will probably be added to the House’s proposal.

House Budget Lives Within Texans Means

Tonight’s final vote on House Bill 1 tells us House leaders got the message taxpayers have been sending: live within our means! But taxpayers must remain vigilant; the session is far from over, and opportunities for taxing-and-spending mischief abound.

Budget Right, Now

Even though the House Appropriations Committee stopped with $800 million in budget cuts, conservative lawmakers kept looking for more ways to reduce spending and protect the state’s rainy day fund dollars.

Assessing New Taxes

Some in the Texas legislature might try to hide behind tax-hiking verbiage to escape voter wrath. You can put lipstick on a tax and call it a fee or assessment, but it doesn’t change the fact that it drains taxpayer wallets for the purpose of growing government.

Every Hand A Loser For Taxpayers

The newly ascendant gaming lobby will have their day in committee on Tuesday, with a dozen bills designed to expand the industry’s scope and footprint. Many supporters will make happy-talk about generating revenue to fund big-government. The only question is whether cash-craving lawmakers will take the bet.

Straus: ‘Question Validity’ Of LBB Report

A poorly prepared report from the Legislative Budget Board became fodder for liberals demanding budget bloat. House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst pushed back with the truth.

Who Is More Free-Market?

Take a guess at who recently gave this quote regarding the Texas Emerging Technology Fund: “Why are we in this business? Why are we putting public tax dollars at risk with startups that can’t or won’t raise private money?”