NEWS
RDF Double-Cross
Today, the Texas House added a provision to the must-pass “Fiscal Matters” bill that would automatically withdraw money from the Rainy Day Fund as new dollars become available.
Spending Reform in the Special Session
This special session of the Texas legislature provides opportunities for commonsense spending reforms that were shunned during the regular session. State Rep. Kelly Hancock (R – Fort Worth) plans to offer an amendment to SB1 that would improve the state’s spending cap.
Keller ISD Uses Knife-To-Throat Tactics
For sheer brashness, Keller ISD gets high marks. For fiscal responsibility, they fail miserably. The Metroplex-area school district has put a knife to the throat of every classroom teacher (and therefore school-age child), demanding taxpayers pay up, or else.
Educational Efficiency Through Transparency
For government, transparency is an effective path to efficiency – especially when said transparency involves detailing how government is spending your money. That’s why State Rep Bill Zedler has filed legislation this special session to compel Texas school districts to post key financial information online.
Formula 1 Redlines Irresponsible Governing
It’s bad enough that $25 million of state taxpayer money could go towards funding a Formula 1 racetrack near Austin. Now, the City of Austin may end up spending an additional $4 million, or risk getting stuck with the new track but no race.
Is Gov. Perry’s prayer meeting religion, politics or both?
Wayne Slater the Republican hater, writing for the Dallas Morning News, wrote: “Gov. Rick Perry’s invitation to his 49 fellow governors to join him later this summer for a day of Christian prayer and fasting for “our troubled country” has sparked a lively debate.
Good Policy Promotes Prosperity
There is a direct connection between public policy and the opportunity for general prosperity. Where government suppresses entrepreneurship, stifles innovation and burdens the people with high taxes, prosperity dies. According to the president of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, Texas’ economic success proves how important public policy really is.
Gaming the System
Recently, Texhoma ISD passed a bond to build homes in an effort to game the system for more tax dollars.
Why Are We Still Subsidizing The Film Industry?
Despite cutting spending, not raising taxes, and preserving the Rainy Day Fund, there were many areas of the state’s new budget that should have been improved – or eliminated – like film industry subsidies that fail to live up to their promises.
Too many laws, ignorant cops prove it.
“On his way home Tuesday from Jim Plain Elementary School in Leander, fourth-grader Marshall May, sitting in the passenger seat of the family minivan, was ticketed for not wearing his seat belt properly,” reported the Austin American-Statesman.
Perry Right To Veto “Amazon Tax”
Earlier this week Texas Gov. Rick Perry vetoed tax legislation for the right reason: it simply hasn’t been studied enough.
Round Rock ISD Rehires Teachers
After initially telling some 240 teachers and staff members they would lose their job, Round Rock ISD is now hiring some of them back.