The Latest
Three Republicans Toss Their Hats into House District Race
A businessman, a former legislator, and a former sheriff are vying to replace retiring State Rep. John Raney.
Texas Democrats Say Border Buoys Cause Deaths, But Law Enforcement Disagrees
Democrat politicians visited Eagle Pass to call for the removal of the border buoy barrier, but Texas Border Czar Mike Banks says it is saving lives.
Houston Mayor and ISD Superintendent Clash Over School Libraries
While the HISD superintendent wants to shutter certain school libraries to save money and build disciplinary centers, the mayor of Houston is refusing tours of the new facilities.
Decision Texas, Local, Metroplex
Mike Olcott and Glenn Rogers Set for House District 60 Rematch
Olcott, incumbent Rogers, and local activist Brandon Hall will face off in the three-way Republican primary.
The Archive
The More Things Change…
Residents of House District 11 must be tired of keeping track of what side of the fence their state representative Chuck Hopson sits on. It was only four years ago that Rep. Hopson claimed membership in the Democratic Party. Now after switching to the GOP, Rep. Hopson...
Is Amendment VI worth the risk?
On November 8th we vote on ten Texas Constitutional Amendments which do everything from allowing more bond debt to changing election law. Amendment six clarifies language that lets the General Land Office distribute more revenue from the permanent school fund to...
Time To End Tax-Funded Fluff Mail
Jeff Wentworth didn't come up with the idea of having taxpayers pay for political self-promotion mail-pieces. But his state senate office's mishandling of a "district newsletter" demonstrates why it's long past time for this perk to end. For decades, taxpayers have...
TRAIN Act Would Right EPA Wrongs
There has been much discussion on Capitol Hill this week surrounding legislation that could provide temporary relief to energy providers across the country. The TRAIN Act – or Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011 – would mandate...
Government’s Potteresque savior complex
I couldn't help myself this morning, when I read this story about former President George W. Bush's defense of the 2008 bailouts, from thinking of Harry Potter. In one of the books, Hermione Granger says to Harry, while he's preparing to go on another of his...
Senatorial Shift
With four Republican retiring, perhaps two more Republicans vulnerable to primary challenges, and a Democrat heading for defeat, the Texas Senate will look a lot better in 2013. Each outgoing senator is likely to be replaced by conservatives TFR has previously...
The fleeting joy of tax rate cuts
Tax rate cuts are like bluebonnets - temporary and sometimes non-existent beauties that fade with the season. Even when tax rates are cut in one taxing entity, other entities will often hike your rate, and it is likely your appraisal goes up as well, making any joy...
EPA Regulations in Texas Will Devastate Local Communities
This summer, the EPA released a new regulation regarding coal-fired power plants in Texas. Called the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), it will devastate mine and other local communities, wreak havoc on already strained power supplies, and cause the loss of...
Open Seat Draws Out Distinctions
Another open Metroplex house district, and another race pitting a candidate boasting support from the House Speaker' cheering squad against a candidate with conservative credentials. Newly redrawn House District 115 in Dallas County includes part of Coppell, Irving,...