Commentary

Commentary Archive

“Unfunded Mandates” Legislation Amounts to a Double Tax

Texas taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay twice for local government services or state laws that regulate their power. But that’s precisely what many local officials want lawmakers to do—double charge taxpayers. During the 85th legislative session in 2017, both city and...

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Eric Yollick: The Most Interesting Man in Texas

Montgomery County is well known for its corrupt politicians and colorful politics. However, the “good ol’ boys” regime that has ruled the county for decades is perilously close to crashing down, in part due to the tremendous efforts of a man who has served...

Legislature Avoided Costly Mistake on “Unfunded Mandates”

In reviewing the tape of the 85th Texas Legislature, much of the focus is placed on the conservative reforms that failed to make it across the finish line. Issues like property tax reform, preventing local taxpayers from funding abortion providers, and ending the...

Texas Lost: What Happened to Consent of the Governed?

“The power of kings and magistrates is nothing else, but what is only derivative, transferred and committed to them in trust from the people... in whom the power yet remains fundamentally, and cannot be taken from them, without a violation of their natural...

Regarding the McKinney Annexation Matter

My family and I moved to McKinney back in January from California, where I served in law enforcement for 21 years. I watched local jurisdictions annex land from "county" into "city" largely for financial gain. But what I witnessed in doing so was a strain on local law...

Fireworks possible at Bexar County GOP Meeting

A battle is brewing between the pro-TX Speaker Joe Straus Establishment supporters and the anti-Straus grassroots liberty-minded forces tonight, Monday, Oct 9, at the Bexar County Executive Committee (CEC) meeting in San Antonio. The pro-Straus people are in...

Texas Taxpayers Forced to Fund Lobbyists for Unions

Texas taxpayers are forced to pay millions each year to a government-lobbying group that serves as the umbrella organization for public sector unions. In other words, taxpayers are not only forced to fund their opposition—they’re forced to subsidize the political...

McKinney City Council Votes to Trample Property Rights

Last week’s McKinney City Council meeting was a disaster for property rights, and a continuation of the city’s big government tax-and-spend philosophy. A majority of city officials are pushing through yet another land grab before a new law protecting taxpayers goes...