State
Lt. Gov. Patrick Calls for Clawback of Deloitte’s Contract Amid Fraudulent Loan Application
Deloitte had allowed a questionable application to make its way to the state’s Public Utility Commission before concerns were unearthed.
Texas DPS Recovers 25 Unaccompanied Minors
Law enforcement also made 29 criminal trespass arrests.
Texas Senate Reviews $200M Movie Industry Handouts
Despite the Republican Party of Texas platform calling for the curtain to close on the program, labeling it as a form of “corporate welfare,” the Legislature increased its budget to $200 million during the last session.
Former Democrat Senator Endorses Republican in Key Texas Senate Race
This race marks a rematch between Democrat Morgan LaMantia and Republican Adam Hinojosa, who narrowly lost the 2022 election by just 0.19 percent of the vote.
State Archive
Good Policy Promotes Prosperity
There is a direct connection between public policy and the opportunity for general prosperity. Where government suppresses entrepreneurship, stifles innovation and burdens the people with high taxes, prosperity dies. According to the president of the Dallas Federal...
Why Are We Still Subsidizing The Film Industry?
Despite cutting spending, not raising taxes, and preserving the Rainy Day Fund, there were many areas of the state’s new budget that should have been improved – or eliminated - like film industry subsidies that fail to live up to their promises. A new national study...
Perry Right To Veto “Amazon Tax”
Earlier this week Texas Gov. Rick Perry vetoed tax legislation for the right reason: it simply hasn't been studied enough. House Bill 2403 would have allowed the state to start collecting sales taxes from online retailers selling their products in the Lone Star State....
Another Chance For Budget Transparency
Legislators have another chance to bring common sense reform to the budget writing process. SB 1811, the fiscal matters bill that was a key piece of the budget, died at the hands of a Democrat filibuster on Sunday, including attached language that would make the...
A Reactive Legislature
Despite a budget (that almost passed) without new taxes, this legislature generally did little to advance a proactive conservative fiscal agenda. Much of their work was reactive, even with an historic super-majority in the House. Not surprisingly, legislators ended...
House: Don’t Let Senate Be Excuse For Death Of Good Policy
Even though Democrats in the Texas Senate have chosen to torpedo the state's budget, the Texas House still has an opportunity to enact meaningful public policy. And with House Democrats circulating an anti-Joe Straus letter, the GOP should use their super-majority...
Killing Calendar Means Costly Special
Taxpayers delivered a strong message, urging fiscal restraint and responsible budgeting. But some lawmakers decided to ignore the call and are forcing the state into a special session that could cost taxpayers a million dollars or more. Or a lot more. While the state...
Legislature Passes 2012-13 Budget
The Texas House and Senate today passed the 2012-2013 budget. It is a tangible demonstration that a majority of legislators heard the message voters were sending in November, and have continued to send all session. Texans expected a budget that reasonably lives within...
Health Care Compact Looking Strong
As the legislative session comes to a close, rumors are more numerous than facts. But one sure fact is that the much-needed Health Care Compact is on track for adoption in the Lone Star State. State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst and state Sen. Jane Nelson deserve great credit...