State
Texas Power Grid Enters Emergency Conditions
The power grid broke the all-time record for peak energy demand Wednesday evening for the eleventh time this summer.
Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban Died in the Texas House—Will Abbott Revive It?
Advocates are calling for it to be added to the special session agenda.
School Choice Opponent Kyle Kacal Launches Re-election Campaign
The rural lawmaker is one of the most liberal Republicans in the Texas House.
Texas University Pushes DEI-Based ‘1619 Project’ on Students
The University of Texas at Arlington is requiring students to use critical race theory materials in a mandatory history course.
State Archive
Democratic Operative Sets up Shop to Defend TEC
Recently, former Republican Party official Mark McCaig announced his defense of IRS-style attacks on conservatives. An employee of Democratic super funder Steve Mostyn, McCaig has been the public face opposing a variety of conservative reforms in recent years. For...
Real Tax Repeal
Finally, a real tax relief measure is coming. State Sen. Craig Estes has filed legislation in advance of the January session to repeal the complicated, invasive and inefficient gross margins tax on business. Not replace, not modify, not cut . . . rather, the tax would...
Why Not Number One?
Texans take pride in our state’s frequent “Best in America” characterization when it comes to job creation. It should come as a surprise then that we are not rated the number one tax climate for business. According to the 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index,...
“Ethics” Committee Fails to Meet
More than two months ago we reported on House Speaker Joe Straus’s appointment of an array of discredited members to the “Select Interim Committee to Study Ethics Laws.” The committee was created by Senate Bill 1773 which was passed during the 83rd Legislative...
‘Ethics’ Chair Admits: Attacking Conservatives to Appease Straus Team
In a letter to incoming conservative state senators, the chairman of the Texas Ethics Commission said his agency is implementing IRS-style attack-rules at the behest of House Speaker Joe Straus’ leadership team. Legislative attempts to implement Obama Administration...
Texas Exports Tax Hike to Nevada
Although Texas leads the nation in energy production and a variety of key economic indicators, we’re exporting much more than goods and services. Other states are following our lead on destructive taxing policy to the economic detriment of their residents. Patrick...
Education Lobby Fails at Math
According to the National Education Agency (NEA), Texas allegedly ranks 47 in education spending per student. A quick look at government data, however, exposes that talking point for what it is—a lie by omission. For starters, comparisons of nominal education spending...
Congratulations, Charles Perry!
Congratulations to Charles Perry on his outright win in the Senate District 28 special election. He received more than 50 percent of the vote in a crowded 6-way race for the 51-county election. Perry was strongly endorsed by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and other...
Criminal Commissions
For several years, Texas has been a model of limited government—at least compared to other states. A new trend is taking us in a disturbing direction: unelected, unaccountable commissions usurping power, undermining constitutional authority and growing government....