NEWS
Table Massage, With Pampering Free
Ever wonder what’s involved with being a “Tier One” university? Bet you didn’t know it included offering table massages with “extra pampering.”
Tax Hike Protections
Here’s another California vs. Texas comparison: One state requires a 2/3 majority of both legislative chambers to pass a tax increase, and one state attempted to create the same type of taxpayer protection, but couldn’t even get it to the floor for a vote. Sadly, it’s California on the right side of this one.
$86,000 for Chick-Fil-A – but can the children read?
This post comes with a warning – you may need to keep a bucket handy, if learning about financial irresponsibility in government entities makes you as queasy as it makes me.
Taxpayers Won’t Be Bullied
Threatening to fire teachers didn’t work in the Keller Independent School District this weekend, where taxpayers rejected a massive 13-cent property tax hike bureaucrats wanted to impose. Local officials blamed state officials, saying legislators weren’t providing all the money they wanted.
Decisive Indecisiveness
Here’s the breakdown of how Rep. Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) has voted throughout the course of the latest debate on auto-spending the Economic Stabilization Fund. It’s a case of legislative votes not meshing with political words.
Health Care Common Sense
Health Care Compact legislation championed by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst and Sen. Jane Nelson has been called many things, but perhaps the best way to describe the Compact is the difference between the one-size-fits-all approach to health care policy of the Federal Government and the states’ need for health care solutions that are tailored for them that actually work.
Currently Correct, But Giving Us Policy Whiplash
They were against it before they were for it before they were against it… Sometimes legislators votes are enough to give constituents a case of public policy whiplash. Such is the case with State Reps. Vicki Truitt (R-Southlake) and Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock).
Rainy Day Re-Do
Remember those Republicans that voted against protecting the Rainy Day Fund a week ago? You can now add Reps. Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) and Vicki Truitt (R-Southlake) to the list.
Self Congratulations, Paid For By Lobbyists
When it comes to defending the higher-ed status quo, few have done it better than State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo). So, she’s throwing a “Statewide Salute”… to herself.
Two Trains Are Not Better Than One
Austin taxpayers have already spent $105 million on MetroRail, a light-rail system that isn’t ridden and hasn’t improved traffic. But that isn’t stopping the Austin City Council from now drooling over a brand-new transportation boondoggle. The price tag on this new “urban-rail” system: $1.3 billion.
Some School Districts Look For Their Next “Fix”
After finding out the state will not be able to afford even more money in the name of “enrollment growth”, many school districts are now looking hard at the taxpayers for their next “fix” in the form of higher property tax rates.
Rainy Day Republicans
Despite garnering 79 votes to eliminate a provision that would automatically spend money from the state’s Rainy Day Fund in the future, State Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) was unable to eliminate this reckless addition to SB2.