State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
State Rep. Proposes ‘Save James Act’ to Stop Social Transition of Kids
Freshman State Rep. David Lowe said the law is designed to “put the final nail in the coffin of the child gender transition industry in Texas.”
Report: Property Taxes Consist of Nearly Half of All State-Local Tax Revenue in 2023
Although the number of property-taxing units is rising, school districts still impose the largest property tax burden.
New Measure Could End Taxpayer Funding to the American Library Association
The ALA has faced criticism for its opposition to restrictions on inappropriate materials in children’s libraries.
Lawmakers File Measures To Bring Ten Commandments, Prayer to Texas Schools
Both efforts were endorsed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and were listed among his top 25 priorities for the legislative session.
State Archive
Protecting the ESF Needs ‘Special’ Attention
During the regular session of 83rd Texas Legislature (and very prominently, during the debate over Senate Joint Resolution 2 in the first called session), the issue of how large of a balance the State should maintain in the Economic Stabilization Fund took...
House Set to Take Step Back With Transportation Funding
Today the House will take up House Joint Resolution 2 and its enabling legislation, House Bill 16. These bills relate to the Governor’s call for the Legislature to identify funding sources for transportation infrastructure projects. This particular package of bills...
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...