NEWS
Cornyn Among Few Senators to Vote Against Pork for Bike Paths, Montana Ballpark, and “Peace Garden”
Texas Senator John Cornyn was one of a handful of U.S. Senators to vote against three separate servings of pork.
Readin’, ‘Rightin’, an’ Riot Shields
Remember when teachers worried about chewing gum under the desk?
Politician Promises
What does a political promise go for? What real value should we place on the promises of elected officials?
Unsettled Records For Taxpayers
Texas' pols can often be found busily rewriting history in advance of their ongoing campaigns; nothing new there, but, still, taxpayers should expect better. Having been confronted with the legislature's well-known inaction on the $14.3 billion surplus, some politicians are realizing that their decision to keep-it-not-return-it has taxpayers, well, disgruntled.
That lawmakers continued to devote the revenues of the business tax to the promised property tax rate reduction shouldn't be all that brag-worthy; shouldn't we expect them to follow through on their promises?
A Taxpayer’s Rock Star
People respond to leadership, especially when it is leadership driven by principles. It's always good to see people recognize a good thing when they've got it.
And How Much For The Photocopier?
Legislators failed to return the $14.3 billion surplus, giving Texans some much-needed property tax relief. But, as a consolation, now comes word that your state government is spending your money to buy a letter many experts say is a fake.
Irving and Corpus Christi Expand Scope of Education Spending
Irving ISD taxpayers are going to be voted on a $250 million bond in 
November that includes replacing laptop computers for every high school student. This is an example of mission creep – in years past parents were in charge of buying supplies for their students. In another example of mission creep, the Corpus Christi City Council has set aside $100,000 for hiring an education director.
Pigs Squeal When You Stick ‘Em
How do you know you've got a pig cornered? When it starts squealing.
A reporter stopped by unannounced on Wednesday. It appears several Republican lawmakers are angry that you are paying attention. They don't like the fact taxpayers and voters are now asking questions about how they voted in Austin.
Beaumont To El Paso, Taxes Going Up
Reports keep filtering in from cities and counties across the state: local officials are jacking up property taxes. When the Legislature "bought down" school property taxes, the inevitable result was other taxing entities filing the gap created and raising their rates. Now comes word from Beaumont that Jefferson County is joining the city fathers in El Paso, Dallas, San Antonio, and elsewhere in raising taxes.
In Jefferson County, the tax hike is meant to fund a 9-percent increase in the salaries of elected officials, and a 7-percent raise for the bureaucrats (funny how that works, eh?).
If Conroe ISD Can Cut Taxes, Why Can’t Your School District?
While we often pass along bad news for Texas taxpayers, it gives us pleasure to recognize the exceptional government entities that exercise fiscal 
responsibility. A newspaper report reveals that Conroe ISD "is among a very select group of Texas school districts to lower its tax rate by more than 50 cents since the 79th Legislature passed House Bill 1 in May 2006, which required districts across the state to lower taxes." Moreover, 64 percent of Conroe ISD campuses are exemplary or recognized so being fiscally responsible and educationally effective are not mutually exclusive.
Faster Than A Speeding Bullet
If you woke up this morning feeling like your pocket was being picked, you shouldn't be surprised — the new state fiscal year arrived with a roar. The budget approved by the Legislature is spending your money at the rate of $2,417.18 per second. Just 8 hours and 40 minutes into the budget year, Texas' legislators have spent more than $75 million.
Lege to Taxpayers: Shut Up
Kudos to Gov. Rick Perry for an unheralded veto that saved one of Texas' few local taxpayer protections. He stopped legislation that would not only have allowed unchecked tax increases, but would have effectively disenfranchised Texas' voting taxpayers. The Legislature, city councils, school districts and county commissioners just wanted taxpayers to shut-up… and pay-up.
During the Session, House and Senate members passed legislation to severely restrict taxpayers and voters from petitioning local government for rollback elections.