While most everyone in Texas was freezing last week, Governor Rick Perry was in California to celebrate President Ronald Reagan’s centennial in addition to promoting Texas’ friendly business environment. Texas Democrats, however, were not amused. For some reason,...

At first blush, House Speaker Joe Straus’ new committee chairs indicate he heard the message voters sent in November -- welcome news for taxpayers. Perhaps the biggest win is seeing liberal Rene Oliveira removed from the Ways & Means chairmanship, replaced by...

Does your home budget-making process begin with the question, "how much should I take out of savings this month?" - Didn't think so… But apparently, it's a common starting point for some in the Texas legislature faced with making tough budget decisions. Whether at...

In his 'State of the State' address before the Legislature, Texas Gov. Rick Perry stuck to his very prudent guns by urging passage of a budget balanced by spending cuts, and free from tax increases. "Texas," he said, "is still the envy of the nation." A boast-free...

With the Texas Senate moving at a speedy clip, property rights are the primary focus this week. But will property rights actually be protected by Senate Bill 18? It needs work. It’s been almost six years since the US Supreme Court all but vacated fundamental property...

Legislators working to reduce spending have strong re-election support from voters in both parties, while tax-hikers are strongly opposed. The results underscore November’s election, in which voters demanded fiscal responsibility. “While some pundits are trying...

Texas voters say that raising taxes and increasing government spending will harm job growth, and they want lawmakers to tackle reforms in government spending. Strong support for spending reform, instead of taxes, extends even to Medicaid. Baselice & Associates, Inc....