State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
Republicans Try Reviving Red-Light Camera Ticketing for School Buses
Opponents say photo-enforced ticketing is an unconstitutional form of policing that fails to make Texans safer.
State Rep. Harrison Calls for End to UT Gender Studies Dept. After Attending ‘Transgender Conference’
Harrison said that he will advocate for ending all UT Austin state funding unless the school terminates the department.
19 GOP County Chairs Urge Support for Closed Primary Legislation
The chairs represent some of the largest counties in Texas.
State Issues Cease-and-Desist to Islamic Group Over Funeral Violations
The announcement comes after Abbott revealed that a dozen state agencies are investigating potential illegal activity tied to the controversial EPIC City project.
State Archive
The Limiting Metric
Analysts at the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) have compared Texas spending limit methods over recent biennia and found that application of the population-plus-inflation metric to each budget since 2006 results in a trend of relatively constant spending limits....
Troubling Ties Between Two Tuckers
New information is coming to light about the troubling relationship between Sara Martinez Tucker, a proponent of common core who has been nominated by Governor Abbott to be a regent for the University of Texas System, and a liberal education reform advocate named Marc...
The Unacceptable David Beck
Later this week the Texas Senate’s Nominations Committee will consider the appointment of David J. Beck to the University of Texas Board of Regents. He should not be confirmed without undergoing some very strict – and uncomfortable – scrutiny. For the most part,...
The Conservative Approach to Limiting Government Growth
While the grassroots may disagree on the means from time to time, the end goal of the conservative movement remains the same: put government in its proper size and role in order to ensure that individual liberty is maximized. That includes our state government, where...
Leading by Example
Under legislation filed by State Rep. Matt Shaheen of Collin County (HB 1257), governmental agencies would be forbidden from hiring lobbyists. This important legislation addresses the long-held practices of cities, schools, and other entities from using taxpayer...
Abbott Addresses the State of Texas
On Tuesday, newly minted Governor Greg Abbott addressed a joint session of the Texas Legislature to set forth his policy proposals for the 84th Legislature. In his remarks, Abbott made clear that he intends to follow through on promises he made during his campaign and...
Cronyism Continues in the House of Straus
House Speaker Joe Straus has announced his committee assignments for the 84th legislature. As expected, the chamber was gerrymandered to constrain conservatives and magnify moderates. One particular committee chair appointment is rife with conflicts of interest. A...
Is a Democrat the Real Chair of Higher Ed?
When House Speaker Joe Straus named his committee assignments last week, there was considerable buzz and surprise surrounding his appointment of Rep. John Zerwas to serve as Chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education. Zerwas is replacing Dan Branch, who left...
Transportation Reform: Restore Local Control, Accountability
Before throwing more tax money at a misunderstood transportation crisis, the legislature should first maximize the effectiveness of existing funds. But in addition to placing restrictions on how tax dollars are used, the legislature should also restrict the ability of...