State

State Archive

And How Much For The Photocopier?

Legislators failed to return the $14.3 billion surplus, giving Texans some much-needed property tax relief. But, as a consolation, now comes word that your state government is spending your money to buy a letter many experts say is a fake. Seems like bureaucrats are...

Pigs Squeal When You Stick ‘Em

How do you know you've got a pig cornered? When it starts squealing. A reporter stopped by unannounced on Wednesday. It appears several Republican lawmakers are angry that you are paying attention. They don't like the fact taxpayers and voters are now asking questions...

Beaumont To El Paso, Taxes Going Up

Reports keep filtering in from cities and counties across the state: local officials are jacking up property taxes. When the Legislature "bought down" school property taxes, the inevitable result was other taxing entities filing the gap created and raising their...

If Conroe ISD Can Cut Taxes, Why Can’t Your School District?

While we often pass along bad news for Texas taxpayers, it gives us pleasure to recognize the exceptional government entities that exercise fiscal responsibility.  A newspaper report reveals that Conroe ISD  "is among a very select group of Texas school districts to...

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

If you woke up this morning feeling like your pocket was being picked, you shouldn't be surprised -- the new state fiscal year arrived with a roar. The budget approved by the Legislature is spending your money at the rate of $2,417.18 per second. Just 8 hours and 40...

Lege to Taxpayers: Shut Up

Kudos to Gov. Rick Perry for an unheralded veto that saved one of Texas' few local taxpayer protections. He stopped legislation that would not only have allowed unchecked tax increases, but would have effectively disenfranchised Texas' voting taxpayers. The...

Energy Taxes Today Hurt Us Tomorrow

What do you do when the price of an essential commodity has risen so high that it fuels inflation, devastates family budgets and threatens the economy?  Obviously, you raise taxes on it, causing its price to go up even more! At least, that’s what you do if the...

Advertising Government

When government resorts to advertising its programs and services, that’s a sure sign government has gotten just a little too big.  Texas bureaucrats spend millions every year advertising the Children’s Health Insurance Program and other welfare assistance...