The Latest

The Archive

Bayou City Culture and Tourism

We previously reported on Houston creating its first general plan. The overarching question raised was, should the city fix something that isn’t broken? As we look at Mayor Annise Parker’s 5-year, $85 million “cultural plan” in conjunction with Houston First’s $8.8...

,

Alarming Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interests between agencies and the politicians elected to govern them are prevalent among Texas’ political subdivisions. Until recently, legislative efforts to make them more visible have been largely ignored by a Republican-led legislature that holds a...

Big-D Sued Over Bag Bureaucracy

A coalition of plastic retail bag manufacturers and recyclers recently filed suit in the District Court of Dallas arguing that their Single-Use Carryout Bag ordinance violates the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act. The act explicitly prohibits a city from imposing “a fee...

Harris County Appraisal Abuse

As property tax bills rolled out to homeowners, some Harris County residents were shocked to see their appraisal values of their homes more than double. Though the average increase was said to be 15% many property owners were handed above average tax bills. Harris...

,

RMAs: Recklessness Merits Auditing

Yesterday, the State Senate passed to engrossment SB 1184, authored by State Sen. Don Huffines (R-Dallas). Proving once again his commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility, Huffines’ legislation provides for the auditing of regional mobility authorities...

Preachers Call for Marriage Protections

On Monday, the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony that would protect the religious freedom of clergy, pastors, and churches concerning marriages. If passed, Senate bill 2065 by State Sen. Craig Estes would preclude government intervention and...

,

Property Tax Hikes in the Texas House

Nobody may have campaigned on higher property taxes last election cycle, but legislators are poised to encourage them in the Texas House. On the calendar for Wednesday is legislation that would permit up to 20% increases of certain school district property tax...

,

Clock Ticking for Conservatives

With sine die and the end of the legislative session drawing near, the window is rapidly closing for Republican lawmakers to deliver on the campaign promises that propelled them to victory. Nobody campaigned on the status quo; rather they advocated for less...

,

Driving Texas Leftward

Illegal immigrants could soon receive permits from the state to drive legally on Texas roads if one lawmaker is successful. Many would expect such an initiative from Democrats and, unsurprisingly, many of them are in support. However, the representative trumpeting the...

The best way to stay informed about the news of the Lone Star State is to subscribe to the Texas Minute podcast or email from Texas Scorecard.

If you get it, you get it.
Real news for real Texans!