Federal

Federal Archive

And How Much For The Photocopier?

Legislators failed to return the $14.3 billion surplus, giving Texans some much-needed property tax relief. But, as a consolation, now comes word that your state government is spending your money to buy a letter many experts say is a fake. Seems like bureaucrats are...

Irving and Corpus Christi Expand Scope of Education Spending

Irving ISD taxpayers are going to be voted on a $250 million bond in November that includes replacing laptop computers for every high school student. This is an example of mission creep - in years past parents were in charge of buying supplies for their students.  In...

Pigs Squeal When You Stick ‘Em

How do you know you've got a pig cornered? When it starts squealing. A reporter stopped by unannounced on Wednesday. It appears several Republican lawmakers are angry that you are paying attention. They don't like the fact taxpayers and voters are now asking questions...

Beaumont To El Paso, Taxes Going Up

Reports keep filtering in from cities and counties across the state: local officials are jacking up property taxes. When the Legislature "bought down" school property taxes, the inevitable result was other taxing entities filing the gap created and raising their...

If Conroe ISD Can Cut Taxes, Why Can’t Your School District?

While we often pass along bad news for Texas taxpayers, it gives us pleasure to recognize the exceptional government entities that exercise fiscal responsibility.  A newspaper report reveals that Conroe ISD  "is among a very select group of Texas school districts to...

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

If you woke up this morning feeling like your pocket was being picked, you shouldn't be surprised -- the new state fiscal year arrived with a roar. The budget approved by the Legislature is spending your money at the rate of $2,417.18 per second. Just 8 hours and 40...

Lege to Taxpayers: Shut Up

Kudos to Gov. Rick Perry for an unheralded veto that saved one of Texas' few local taxpayer protections. He stopped legislation that would not only have allowed unchecked tax increases, but would have effectively disenfranchised Texas' voting taxpayers. The...

A Strike Against Taxpayer Waste at the Ballpark in Houston

KTRK News in Houston reports that the Harris County Sports Authority has been dining at the taxpayer trough at a 36-person suite at Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros. Sports authority board members and their guests racked up $20,000 in food costs,...

El Paso Taxpayers: Pay Up

Same song, different verse. Like taxpayers around the state, the people of El Paso are getting hit hard by their city council with an 8.4 percent increase in property taxes. The reason? “We don't have enough police officers,” according to the El Paso Times....