State news in Texas
State
Gov. Abbott Condemns Misleading Text Campaign Linking Him to Burrows’ Speaker Bid
“To be clear, that text with my picture was issued without my authorization or even knowing about it,” Abbott wrote.
Democrat State Rep. Confirms Burrows Will Continue ‘Bipartisanship’ in House
Republican voters have demanded that House leadership end the practice of awarding powerful committee chair positions to the minority party.
Energy Expert Warns Texas Grid Is More Fragile Than During Winter Storm Uri
Energy Alliance Policy Director Bill Peacock said the reliability of the state’s grid is not keeping up with the demand for electricity, which follows Texas’ economic growth.
South San Antonio ISD Conservator Recommends TEA Appoint Board of Managers
According to Texas law, the trustees of South San Antonio ISD have not been meeting the standards necessary to maintain its status as an independent school district.
State Archive
Last Picture Show
Expect lawmakers to once again seek to take money from your pocket and hand it over to Hollywood producers in the name of “economic development.” They want to follow the lead of Michigan, New Mexico and California in kissing up to the movie industry… Never mind those...
SURFACE OWNERS PAY, MINERALS OWNERS DON’T
The only change on this issue is your surface ownership taxes will increase.
Fighting Blighting
Eminent domain is not a glamorous issue, but it is an important one. Property rights advocates won a small victory in 2007 when Texans voted for Proposition 7. This was a step in the right direction, but we still have a lot of work to do. State Representative Frank...
Ignorance Could Be Bliss for Taxpayers
The session is coming and with it the customary biennial surplus predictions. Factors such as revenue from a contrived business tax, a natural disaster and a faltering national economy will impact the number but whatever the final tally the Lege should pretend the...
More On The Speaker
A couple weeks ago we compared the scores of the House Speaker candidates on the Fiscal Responsibility Index, which describes how often lawmakers vote in the best interest of taxpayers. Another legislator has thrown his hat in the ring; State Rep. Byron Cook...
Automatic Anual Bailouts?
After a recent TFR speaking engagement a group formed as we were leaving to lamenting the fact that congress was considering a bailout for auto makers. A bailout that now seems imminent. They were saying "did you hear the execs flew private jets to speak to congress...
Legislative Bully
State Rep. David Leibowitz wants you to do something about bullying. Specifically, the Helotes Democrat wants to use your money to pay for a bullying hotline that a "primary or secondary school student" can use to "report an incident of bullying." This takes the nanny...
Ringing In 2010
Didn't the election cycle just end? Yes, but everyone's chattering about U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's exploratory filings for the governorship in 2010, challenging incumbent governor Rick Perry. Expect the race to help shape and color the 2009 legislative session...
Doing Right By Taxpayers
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs continues to do right by taxpayers in supporting strong, pro-taxpayer efforts that increase transparency and efficiency. Her office this week unveiled “Open Book Texas” that seeks to do even more by consolidating bulk-purchasing while...