NEWS
Tying Taxpayers To The Rail
Supporters of “light rail†and “commuter rail†consistently over-sell and under-deliver. Not only does mass-transit fail to reduce congestion, but it is always fraught with cost-overruns and implementation delays. Such is the case in Austin, where the new toy train is going to cost taxpayers a third more than promised.
Job-Killing New Business Tax Exposed
The San Antonio Express-News reports that new National Federation of Independent Business radio ads assail the business tax that will take its first toll in May. The ads note some small businesses will see their tax burden rise by 1,000 percent over the current franchise tax.
And They Wonder Why We Don’t Trust Them
On the one hand, transportation officials tell us that they just don’t have the funds available to build roads. Yet on the other hand, toll roads dollars are being used to let executives take European vacations complete with first-class and business-class airline seats.
Bailing Out Tourist Attractions That Fail To Attract Tourists
Why must the taxpayers be on the hook to pay for the indulgences of the politically connected? A case in point is the alleged tourist attraction known as the “Texas State Railroad†running between Palestine and Rusk. I say alleged because it doesn’t attract enough tourists to keep it afloat. No worries, lawmakers just force you to pay for a service none of us apparently want to use.
Will Taxpayers Get Justice?
A lawsuit designed to stop counties from using taxpayer-money to lobby against taxpayers is still brewing in Williamson County. The judge last month gave taxpayers a partial victory, but those who brought the suit are hoping to convince His Honor to make modifications to the ruling that would ensure justice.
Taxing Jobs
No title makes conservatives’ skin crawl like “tax assessor/collector.†It’s just not a job most of us hope our little conservative bundles of joy grow up to be. But thank goodness someone does, because it’s a critically important position.
Your Honor
Speaking in Farmers’ Branch this week I saw a familiar face in the audience – one of my upper-classman from Texas A&M. It turns out that Steven Autry is now seeking to serve as the judge of the Dallas County Criminal Court #4. He was a positive influence on me as a cadet 20 years ago, and I have no doubt he’ll serve the people of Dallas with distinction. Good luck, Mr. Autry, sir!
Campaign Conservatives, Legislative Liberals
When we consider the lack of progress on important fiscal reforms, the blame lies almost exclusively with a small group of legislators who campaign as if they are budget conservatives, but legislate like liberals.
Help The Good Guys
Hard to believe, but true, we do have a strong number of fiscally conservative lawmakers in the Texas Legislature. While outnumbered, they fight the fight for our values and principles regardless of political pressure. But doing the right thing comes at a cost. One of the taxpayers’ champions in the legislature is State Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale of Harris County.
Red-Lighting Hypocrisy
Confronted with not getting 100% of the money, the city of Nederland (near Beaumont) is backing out of their red-light camera contract.
Red-Light Funds
Proceeds from all those new red-light cameras are flowing into the state coffers – but the money isn’t being spent like people were told it would be. Oh, the shock and surprise.
State Fines Blanco County Taxpayers $80k Over Courthouse Windows
This story shows just how dysfunctional big government can be. The Texas Historical Commission is taking $80k from Blanco County taxpayers because the County, following a hail storm, replaced its wooden courthouse windows with acrylic windows that are virtually indistinguishable but considerably less expensive.Â