After the Voter ID bill cleared the Senate late Wednesday night, the media is reporting that legislation in the Texas House may face slower going. That take-it-slow approach let Voter ID, very popular with all Texas voters, get set for legislative death two years ago.

As this legislative session gears up in Austin and most of the focus so far has been on the budget and Voter ID, the stuff that fuels our once every two year flurry continues to stockpile… bills. While some look pretty good, others are down right ugly.

State agencies have spent months cutting their spending to help preserve Texas’ fiscal integrity. The Texas House is increasing the number of its committees. Is this budget bloat or a wise legislative investment?

As lawmakers unveiled the first draft of the 2012-2013 state budget, liberal advocacy groups wasted no time threatening teachers with the axe.

State Representative Tim Kleinschmidt has joined the ranks of other state officials pledging to oppose tax increases. This especially important as lawmakers start to work on a tight budget amid calls for new revenues.

The Legislative Budget Board recently published their recommendations to close the budget shortfall. While some suggestions will please conservatives, many others will leave them shaking their heads.

I’m sure that you’ve all heard of the “Blame America First” crowd, but have you heard of the “Tear Texas Down” crowd?

Tax-and-spend liberals would have us believe that all music, joy and laughter will fade away unless legislators hike spending and raise taxes.

Today the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute proposed their roadmap for how lawmakers might go about balancing the state budget without raising taxes, keeping us competitive and helping ensure economic growth in the future.

There’s a saying, “to make policy, you have to win politically” – and that is what conservatives did with distinction on November 2nd of last year. What’s yet to be seen is if the platform of limited government, less spending, and no new taxes championed by so many of the electoral victors will indeed be fully acted on legislatively.