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
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...
Horribly Ineffective Hilderbran
When Harvey Hilderbran was put in charge of the House tax writing committee, he said he'd bring relief to Texans. A report in today's Austin American Statesman shows tax cuts are nowhere in sight. That he’s having trouble selling the near super-majority of Republicans...
Senate: Extreme Irresponsibility
Remember when everyone thought the Texas Senate would be the fiscal grown-ups this session? Well, this week saw those hopes set on fire as senators voted unanimously to set the state on a collision course with a downgraded credit rating. The Senate voted 31-0 to draw...
House Moves Closer to Medicaid Expansion
Say NO to Expansion! Despite numerous repudiations by the GOP rank and file, leadership in the Texas House continue to move closer to Medicaid expansion. A bill authored by a key Straus lieutenant pushing for a “Texas Solution” will now see the light of day on the...
Sins of Omission and Commission
Thanks to their legislative leadership, conservative House members are preparing to go home with no wins, no fights and not much of a record. It’s quite a campaign slogan the House leadership is asking them to adopt: “I did nothing I promised, and we attempted even...
Perry: “Protect Our Rainy Day Fund”
In a statewide tele-townhall with Texans last night, Gov. Rick Perry said lawmakers must protect the state's Economic Stabilization Fund, often referred to informally as the "rainy day fund." The Economic Stabilization Fund was established in the late 1980s, following...
Senatorial Irresponsibility
All that talk about the Texas Senate being fiscally responsible this session? Well, not so much, it would appear. The Senate Finance Committee voted today to draw $6 billion from the $8 billion Economic Stabilization Fund—incorrectly called the "rainy day fund" by...
Carona Bashes GOP, Conservatives on Gambling
Taxpayers witnessed a rather candid moment for State Sen. John Carona (R – Dallas) today. While laying out his bill to expand gambling, Mr. Carona took time to bash conservatives, and the Republican Party of Texas, for their stance against cronyism and bigger...
Busting the Budget Cap
How much will the Legislature end up spending on the budget? That depends on if they vote to bust the spending cap. With only $685 Million of room to spare, they’ll need to if they still want to spend an additional $2 billion on water. With reckless disregard for any...