State
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.
Former Paxton Deputy Accused of Staging a Coup
Jeff Mateer and other employees sent correspondence from the Office of the Attorney General on which they had removed Paxton’s name from the letterhead.
State Archive
Perry Mails In Budget Vetoes
If you were looking for Governor Perry to make a statement about the excess spending and little tax relief in the state budget, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Outside of a political swipe at the embroiled head of the state’s Public Integrity Unit, the...
And … They’re Off!
After spending your tax dollars at record-breaking and bank-busting levels, legislators are now hitting the streets looking for campaign cash. Republicans will wow you with tales of just how conservative they have been. They might think they are, but the results of...
Making a Statement (in the Journal)
Several members made a statement on some of the most ideological votes cast in the House during the regular session. No, not that kind of “statement.” The kind of statement that goes into the official journal documenting they meant to vote another way. It happens from...
Bureaucrats Set to See Pay Hikes
Come September 1, many of the state’s top-level bureaucrats are set to see some sweetheart pay raises. Of course, they come without any attempts to make state agencies more efficient with your tax dollars. Most state employees are set to see their pay stubs increase...
Letter to Governor Rick Perry
To the Honorable Rick Perry, Governor of the State of Texas: The just-ended legislative session grows government too much and offers too little tax relief. Download PDF of letter to Gov. Perry. Call his office at (512) 463-4630. The 83rd Texas Legislature appropriated...
Adding ESF to Endowment to the Call
The Legislature may be using the special session to talk about redistricting maps for the next week or so, but that isn’t stopping two state senators from throwing out ideas for generating more transportation funding. State Sens. Tommy Williams (R–The Woodlands) and...
Session Ends With a Wince
With all key pieces of the budget puzzle squarely in place, the regular session of the 83rd Regular Session adjourned sine die (“without another day”) yesterday. This session will be remembered for the dramatic increase in spending, little reforms, and lackluster tax...
Cards Come Back
According to several members of the Texas House, allies of House Speaker Joe Straus are distributing "pledge cards" to legislators. The message is clear: promise—in writing—to support Joe Straus for speaker in 2015, or face retribution from the lobby. It had been...
Perry Veto Protects Texans From Official Intimidation
Texans are again safe from the threat of official harassment and intimidation simply by virtue of their contributing to nonprofit entities that speak out politically, thanks to a veto by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Gov. Perry vetoed Senate Bill 346, which the bill authors...