The Latest
Paxton Moves to Have ‘Illegal’ Testimony Excluded From Impeachment Trial
Tony Buzbee, a lawyer representing Paxton, says the impeachment is based on “hearsay upon hearsay upon hearsay.”
University of North Texas Dissolves DEI Department
While the DEI department will be eliminated later this year, UNT President Neal Smatresk said he plans to “reorganize” the staff from the DEI office.
George Soros Funds Effort to ‘Turn Texas Blue’
The Texas Majority PAC is already among the top ten most well-funded PACs in the state.
Gov. Greg Abbott Responds to Austin Street Takeovers
DPS reported 100 vehicles present at the first incident.
The Archive
TPPF Commentary – Schools Can’t Break Addiction to Higher Taxes
Remember the big school property tax cut you were supposed to get? Your local school district might be about to take it away. Last year, the Legislature passed a plan that used the state’s new business tax and part of the state’s $14 billion budget surplus to buy...
Constitutional Propositions
My friends at the Plano-based Free Market Foundation have produced a fantastic summary of the statewide constitutional ballot, with "pro" and "con" arguments for each. (You can view their work here.) Remember, your local ballot will probably have additional questions...
The Right Man
One of the taxpayers’ best friends in the Texas Legislature is Bill Zedler, R-Arlington. And that means the grow-government crowd has painted a target on his forehead. Zedler is a staunch defender of conservative ideals, but especially prudent fiscal policy,...
Republicans In Name
House Speaker Tom Craddick put voice this week to what conservative voters have been depressed about for several years: there are some Republican legislators who work against the conservative agenda. Here's what Speaker Craddick said in the Midland Reporter-Telegram:...
Running Right
While in Temple this week to guest-host a radio show, I had the opportunity to meet Michael Pearce. Hopefully you'll get to know him, too. A Marine veteran and former classroom teacher, Pearce is running for the open House District 55 seat in the Texas Legislature....
Dallas ISD Trims Central Office Staff, Gets Blowback from Big Spenders
Kudos to Dallas ISD for trimming its central office staff by 163, freeing up money either for classroom instruction or taxpayers. According to Texas Education Agency data we reviewed, Dallas ISD previously had 5 percent more staff per student than Houston ISD.   ...
Is Lege’s School Rate Cut Driving Higher School Taxes?
It's an inconvenient truth, but not only did the legislature's effort to buy-down school property tax rates not result in lower tax bills (because they left the appraisal process untouched), but it has lead to higher school taxes. At least one elected official is...
Proposition 2 Shows the Problems with Higher Education Finance
In 2003, the State Legislature passed the tuition deregulation plan which gave university systems the ability to raise their own tuition rates. Previously, the tuition rates for state universities were controlled by the State Legislature. We were assured by university...
A Vote For Bob Is A Vote For Higher Taxes
It's not every day that a Republican runs on tax increases, especially tax increases to fund more boondogles. After all, conservative voters -- who tend to make up the bulk of the Republican base -- are rightly suspicious of higher taxes and boondogles. But there is...