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Teresa Beckmeyer: A Voice for Freedom

Hailing from a rather small town, Teresa Beckmeyer is a big voice in Texas politics. As the founder and writer for West Texas Voice, a popular blog educating readers on legislative and political happenings, Beckmeyer serves as a catalyst for citizen engagement. “My...

HISD Construction Corruption

HISD’s Board of Trustees failed to acknowledge the looming bond shortfall, and failed to give directive to the Superintendent and administration following the revelation. But, according to an internal audit, it seems that their lackadaisical attitude trickled down to...

HISD Trustees Knew of Looming Shortfall

Since last week’s revelation and the attendant increase in public demands for accountability for Houston ISD’s $211 million bond shortfall, school board members are clamoring to deny any knowledge and deflect responsibility for the situation. But the district’s...

Spending, Revenue, or Pensions?

The Greater Houston Partnership has released their second white paper, “Is Now the Time to Raise Property Taxes?” The partnership’s last paper, which outlined the economic crisis Houston currently faces, was met by heavy scrutiny from Houston Mayor Annise Parker and...

Southlake, Coppell Remain Top Tax Collectors

Across North Texas’ fifty most populous cities, Southlake and Coppell collect the most property tax revenue per resident. As more sunlight is cast on the murky world of local government finance, it’s becoming clear that many politicians base their tax rates on...

Protecting Taxpayers Starts Locally

Members of the Republican-dominated legislature have failed to adequately protect Texans from rising property taxes. But culpability ultimately falls on local officials who, despite clinging to “limited government” and “local control” rhetoric, have failed to pass...

Houston Puts Unions Over Taxpayers

Houston City Council approved the 2015 Houston Organization of Public Employees (HOPE) agreement for municipal employees with very little fanfare or scrutiny. The three-year agreement offers increased benefits to employees covered by the contract but, as usual, at the...

HISD $211 Million Shortfall

Houston ISD (HISD) trustees are calling for an audit of the district’s unprecedented 2012 $1.89 billion bond program. Suddenly it has been brought to their attention that the program is facing a $211 million shortfall and will have to halt some projects until another...