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Big Win for Whitesboro Citizens: No Property Tax Increase
Citizens convinced Whitesboro city officials to reverse course on a big property tax increase.
Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Partner Organization Has Islamic Terrorism Ties
The Islamic Circle of North America has ties to the Pakistani terrorist group Jamaat-e-Islami.
City of Dallas’ Budget to Help Aid LGBT, Race-based Events
The new budget will give the Office of Arts and Culture $20.6 million to facilitate multiple “cultural celebrations throughout the year.”
AG Paxton Sues Austin Over Taxpayer-funded Abortion Travel
Attorney General Ken Paxton says the city’s abortion fund violates the Texas Constitution and provides no “clear public benefit.”
Local Archive
Dallas Raises Taxes Despite Record Revenues
The Dallas City Council recently voted 14-1 to increase taxes on taxpayers next year. Over the last decade, city tax collections increased by a whopping thirty eight percent, when measured on a per-resident basis. Despite the sharp increase, city politicians claim it...
Over-Promised Pension Returns
It’s widely known that city officials’ funny numbers understate debt costs in the Bayou City. Continuing the dissection of the pension problem, it's important look at how officials use inflated projected returns on investment (ROI) to understate pension debt. When...
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...