State
Bobby Guerra: The Democrat in Charge of the House Resolutions Committee
The South Texas lawmaker is the former chairman of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party.
Gov. Greg Abbott Holds Strategic Tour Stops in Campaign for School Choice
“This session, we will empower every parent with the ability to choose the best high-quality education option for their child.”
Disgraced Former House Speaker Dennis Bonnen Opens Lobbying Firm
“They trade on their government contacts, and their clients pay top dollar for the access and influence.”
5 Lawmakers Oppose Yet Another Long Weekend in the Texas House
When they return, the Legislature will be 56 days into its 140-day legislative session without having passed any legislation—including Republican priorities.
State Archive
Where Your Education Money Goes
Teachers in north Texas are spending tax dollars for retreats at the Gaylord Texan resort and convention center in nearby Grapevine. They'll be staying at the expensive convention complex, hearing from motivational speakers, and blowing a big wad of cash intended to...
NCSL Round-Up
Unlike most states, Texas is fairing fairly well the national economic downturn. That was the presentation State Rep. John Otto (R-Dayton) made last week at the National Conference of State Legislatures. He was quick to note that this is due to a host of factors in...
Taxing Ignorance
Thousands of Texans are supporting efforts to abolish the school property tax and replace it with a fair sales tax... But you'd never know it from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal today, which not only misrepresents the effort and its background, but lets Republican...
When Times Are Tough, Tax-n-Spend Away
School districts around the state are crying poverty -- and hiking your taxes. But just like the studies showing how many welfare recipients own DVD players, cell phones and late-model cars, we would be wise as taxpayers to start demanding a little cleaner view of how...
Survey Says New Business Tax Inflicts Pain on Employees, Consumers
A survey of 790 Texas small businesses finds that because of the new margins tax: 1) 50% will raise prices 2) 20% will lay off at least one employee 3) 33% won't hire new employees 4) 14% will drop health care or other benefits 5) 3% will close Meanwhile, thanks to an...
Got Freedom?
This week marked "cost of government day" -- the date in which the average American has now paid the cost of taxes and regulations handed down from federal, state and local governments. The date, July 16, means Americans work more than half the year to pay for all the...
You’re Getting Joysticked
Hold on to your wallets, the governor and Legislature are taking aim at your wallet with a little video game waste. Unfortunately, this isn't the virtual variety but the real-world deal. Texas Gov. Rick Perry wants lawmakers to give video game manufacturers boatloads...
Does Texas Need an Independent Inspector General’s Office to Root Out Fraud & Waste?
Senator Bob Deuell proposes the creation of such an office for the "main" state agencies in today's Dallas Morning News and Governor Rick Perry's office indicates support. The issue came up after controversial firings at the Texas Education Agency's Inspector...
Budget Busters
There’s very little that ails us that a little sunlight and fresh air can’t cure – and that’s especially true when it comes to government waste and bloat. Our friends over at the Texas Public Policy Foundation this week unveiled a snazzy little tool called...