State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
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.
Paxton Investigates Hutto, Richardson ISDs for Potentially Allowing Boys in Girls’ Sports
Administrators in both districts were recently caught advising parents on how to circumvent state law protecting girls’ sports.
State Archive
Cards Come Back
According to several members of the Texas House, allies of House Speaker Joe Straus are distributing "pledge cards" to legislators. The message is clear: promise—in writing—to support Joe Straus for speaker in 2015, or face retribution from the lobby. It had been...
Perry Veto Protects Texans From Official Intimidation
Texans are again safe from the threat of official harassment and intimidation simply by virtue of their contributing to nonprofit entities that speak out politically, thanks to a veto by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Gov. Perry vetoed Senate Bill 346, which the bill authors...
System Benefit Fraud
With lawmakers still scrabbling to make a Faustian deal for a mammoth state budget that is long on spending and short on tax relief, electric rate-payers aren't going to be getting a rebate from an un-utilized fund for which we've been overcharged. The good news: the...
Lawmakers Should Hit “Reset”
Last night’s passage of HB 1025 and SJR 1 signal the “budget deal” has now been set in motion. In light of both chamber’s agreement to pull down nearly $4 billion from the Rainy Day Fund, members should take a moment to review why the RDF was created in the first...
Padding Their Own Pensions
While those focusing on the budgeting process during the last few weeks of session will likely key in on hot topics like water, transportation and education, many will likely miss the Legislature’s cowardly attempt to pad their own pensions under the auspices of a...
Wheels Fall off Darby’s Fee Hike Bill
Texas drivers can celebrate a small victory tonight because San Angelo State Rep. Drew Darby’s bill hiking fees for vehicle registrations hit a legislative roadblock in the House. After facing stiff opposition from legislators not wishing to break campaign pledges of...
Pledge Breakers
More than a dozen members of the Texas House today violated the pledge they made to their constituents not to raise taxes. You can get the details here about the legislation, but Americans for Tax Reform, Texas Public Policy Action, the House Republican Caucus policy...
Larson (Admittedly) Games Lottery Vote
With so many members switching their votes in favor of keeping the Lottery Commission after first voting to abolish it, many suspect games were being played with the voting process. State Rep. Lyle Larson (R–San Antonio) left no doubt, telling his constituents: “No...
Promoting Obamacare?
Texas lawmakers will be voting today on legislation that would give tax incentives to companies on the basis of offering benefits complying with the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." Pushing this backdoor endorsement of Obamacare is GOP State Rep. Harvey...