NEWS
More Self
Yesterday I had the privilidge of speaking in Collin County at an event hosted by the chambers of commerce. The real treat, though, was getting to hear County Judge Keith Self address economic policy and fiscal reform. We’ll have more on him in the coming days, but you might want to check out his website: www.keithself.com. Texas needs more county judges, and elected officials in general, like Keith Self.
Pork On Fat
It’s a delicious irony: Texas’ taxpayers are being forced to fork over $250,000 to “invest” in a miracle drug that will allegedly combat obesity. Sound like more high-calorie pork? It’d be cheaper to tell the lard-laden to put the candy-bar down and go for a brisk walk.
Heating Up Unemployment
It’s not just hot-air created by global warming proponents. Now they want your job and family income, too.
List of Texas Taxes Spans 85 Pages
A Houston television report has revealed that the list of fees imposed by Texas state government spans some 85 pages. The story notes that Governor Rick Perry and Rep. Mark Strama will work for legislation next session to ensure that these fees are either used for their intended purpose or abolished.
Union Dues Don’ts
Taxpayers have been picking up the tab for processing paycheck deductions to fund a liberal union’s political activities. Sound rotten? That’s why taxpayer hero Leo Berman is asking the Texas Attorney General to review the process.
Anti-Taxpayer League
West Texans probably felt their wallets being picked this week, as government-growers and tax-hikers went to Odessa in an effort to prop up the frail candidacy of Buddy West in a Republican run-off. West got kudos from anti-taxpayer lawmakers like Delwin Jones of Lubbock, Jim Pitts of Waxahachie, Jim Keffer of Eastland, and Edmund Kuempel of Seguin. Five Republicans, and not a fiscal conservative in their midst.
Policing The Books
Austin Police have been wrongly spending money seized during the course of investigations – violating state and federal laws governing the way those dollars can be used. Who called in the budget cops? Austin’s own chief of police.
Oh No Vo
State Rep. Herbert Vo is being accused of accepting illegal corporate campaign contributions. The Democratic state representative from Houston allegedly got a company to offer discount coupons on clothes when someone gave money to his campaign. Right about now Mr. Vo should be looking for a “15% off your next legal bill” coupon.
PAC Endorses Lewis In HD 81 Race
The Empower Texans PAC today announced its enthusiastic endorsement of Tryon Lewis in the run-off race for House District 81.
Red-Light Red-Ink
Red-Light cameras are all the rage among cool cities with big budgets, using hi-tech to nab drivers who illegally coast (or fly) through intersections. Critics have maintained the cameras violate civil liberties and amount to a cash-grab by cities. Proponents tell us the cities install the cameras for the singular purpose of saving lives.
Serving Texas
Serving in the Texas Legislature is no picnic; lawmakers get $600, with the responsibility for governing a state that is the 8th largest economy in the world and nearly 24 million people. And it is done for less pay and perks that most city’s offer their councilmen. While this isn’t a call to raise their pay, we should at least remember to ocassionally say, “thank you.”
Texas Governments Awash in Cash While You Pinch Pennies
While most Texans are struggling to keep up, the state reported today that cities are reaping a 9.2% increase in sales tax collecitions over last year. Even as inflation plagues Texas families, it produces more sales tax revenue so maybe local governments should return some of this windfall.