State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
School Choice Battle Intensifies as Texas House Committee Hears Testimony
The proposal is a key priority for Gov. Greg Abbott, who made school choice a central issue in last year’s Republican primaries.
Lobbyists Exploit Loophole To Get Reserved Capitol Parking
State Preservation Board is allowing lobbyists to cheaply reserve prime parking at the Capitol.
Gun Owners Rally at Texas Capitol
Several state legislators spoke at the rally in support of the Second Amendment.
UNT Students Remove Art Exhibit After Lawmakers Decry Antisemitism
Students took down a controversial art exhibit, but a pro-Palestine lecture is still set to be held despite lawmakers’ calls for its cancelation.
State Archive
Mayor Price, Judge Whitley Oppose Property Tax Reform
Self-described "conservative" local politicians joined forces with liberals last week to oppose lower taxes and limits on government growth. Leading the charge against the taxpayers of Tarrant County were Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and County Judge Glen Whitley who...
Abbott Continues Calls for Tax Relief
Speaking at a small business in North Austin on Tax Day, Gov. Greg Abbott took time to brag on the many economic accomplishments of the Lone Star State. Abbott noted that while many Americans are dreading this day, it should be noted that in Texas lawmakers are...
Reforms, Budget Pass Senate
On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate passed its budget for the 2016-17 biennium. At $211.4 billion, the Senate budget is slightly larger (by a margin of roughly $1.5 billion) than its House counterpart. However, the increase is not due to more spending, but may be...
Senators Seek to Stop Subsidizing Unions
On Thursday, the State Affairs Committee of the Texas Senate considered legislation that would strike a major blow to public-sector unions in the Lone Star State. Senate bill 1968, authored by State Sens. Joan Huffman (R-Brazoria) and Bob Hall (R-Canton), would...
Kel Seliger, Chris Turner Receive Anti-Taxpayer Award
State Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) and State Rep. Chris Turner (D-Arlington) were recently named “Legislators of the Month” by the Texas Municipal League for vocally opposing pro-taxpayer reforms, placing the interests of local politicians and bureaucrats ahead of...
Texas Senate Strengthens Spending Limit
While 94 percent of Texas’ Republican primary voters have been asking for the state’s constitutional spending limit to be strengthened, that reform never reached the floor of either chamber of the Legislature. Until today, where it passed the Texas Senate. This also...
TML Distorts Reform to Defend Its Power
By mislabeling restrictions on government lobbying as a “gag order,” the Texas Municipal League is desperately trying to defend its gig as the anti-taxpayer lobbyists in Austin. Their opposition is specifically targeted at Rep. Matt Shaheen’s (R-Plano) HB 1257, which...
Texas Senate Increases Public Integrity
Voting along party lines, the Texas Senate voted Wednesday to advance legislation taking the Public Integrity Unit from the jurisdiction of liberal Democrat-controlled Travis County District Attorney’s Office. That authority will now rest with the Texas Rangers and...
Fights That Taxpayers Win
When the government is fighting over taxes, Texans usually lose. However, this time may be different. Currently in the Texas Legislature, the two houses are battling it out not over which taxes to raise, but rather which taxes to cut. On Wednesday, State Rep. Dennis...