State news in Texas
Statewide Texas News
Lawmaker Confronts State Agency on DEI, Democrat Chair Melts Down
Speaker Dustin Burrows quickly weighed in, issuing a statement suggesting Harrison’s questioning had crossed a line.
Could Fourth Time Be the Charm for Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban?
The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony for a proposed ban on the practice, which has passed the Senate three times previously.
State Vendor IGT Violated Its Contract With the Texas Lottery Commission
With all eyes on the lottery, IGT’s political contributions present another problem.
Libraries Could Lose Funding for Hosting Drag Queen Story Hours Under Senate Proposal
The proposal follows legislation passed last session that sought to ban sexually oriented performances in front of minors, including drag performances.
State Archive
Self Congratulations, Paid For By Lobbyists
When it comes to defending the higher-ed status quo, few have done it better than State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo). So, she's throwing a "Statewide Salute"... to herself. In an e-mail her campaign staff sent this week, Sen. Zaffirini is promoting a "Statewide...
Rainy Day Republicans
Despite garnering 79 votes to eliminate a provision that would automatically spend money from the state's Rainy Day Fund in the future, State Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) was unable to eliminate this reckless addition to SB2. Here's the play-by-play: Yesterday on...
RDF Double-Cross
Today, the Texas House added a provision to the must-pass "Fiscal Matters" bill that would automatically withdraw money from the Rainy Day Fund as new dollars become available. You'll remember that during the regular Session the House passed a budget that did not...
Spending Reform in the Special Session
This special session of the Texas legislature provides opportunities for commonsense spending reforms that were shunned during the regular session. State Rep. Kelly Hancock (R - Fort Worth) plans to offer an amendment to SB1 that would improve the state's spending...
Educational Efficiency Through Transparency
For government, transparency is an effective path to efficiency - especially when said transparency involves detailing how government is spending your money. That's why State Rep Bill Zedler has filed legislation this special session to compel Texas school districts...
Good Policy Promotes Prosperity
There is a direct connection between public policy and the opportunity for general prosperity. Where government suppresses entrepreneurship, stifles innovation and burdens the people with high taxes, prosperity dies. According to the president of the Dallas Federal...
Why Are We Still Subsidizing The Film Industry?
Despite cutting spending, not raising taxes, and preserving the Rainy Day Fund, there were many areas of the state’s new budget that should have been improved – or eliminated - like film industry subsidies that fail to live up to their promises. A new national study...
Perry Right To Veto “Amazon Tax”
Earlier this week Texas Gov. Rick Perry vetoed tax legislation for the right reason: it simply hasn't been studied enough. House Bill 2403 would have allowed the state to start collecting sales taxes from online retailers selling their products in the Lone Star State....
Another Chance For Budget Transparency
Legislators have another chance to bring common sense reform to the budget writing process. SB 1811, the fiscal matters bill that was a key piece of the budget, died at the hands of a Democrat filibuster on Sunday, including attached language that would make the...