Local
League City Special Election for City Council Seat Heads to Runoff
The runoff will be between firefighter Courtney Chadwell and League City Parks boardmember Ange Mertens.
Decision Texas, Local, Metroplex
Appeals Court Denies Petition to Declare Hagenbuch Ineligible for State Senate Race
A separate challenge to Hagenbuch’s residency in Texas Senate District 30 will be back in court this week.
Decision Texas, Local, Metroplex
Dallas Police Association Endorses Embattled State Rep. Frederick Frazier
Frazier has been under public scrutiny after pleading guilty to criminal mischief and no contest to two counts of attempted impersonation of a public servant.
Tarrant County Republican Party Passes Anti-DEI Resolution
The resolution calls for an end to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies in all taxpayer-funded institutions.
Local Archive
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...
Recommendations for 2015 November Constitutional Propositions
Seven amendments will be up for consideration by Texans in the Nov. 3 ballot (early voting runs from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30). Here we offer our recommendations on each of the propositions. Proposition 1 – SJR 1 Explanation: Increases the homestead exemption for...
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...