A pro-taxpayer ballot transparency reform is getting a second look in the special session.
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GOP Activists Want Local Debt Reform
More than 91 percent of Republican delegates voted to support a series of ballot transparency reforms. Unfortunately, despite a near super-majority of Republican legislators in both chambers, absolutely no progress has been made on this issue. Even if partially...
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD: Huge Debt Deal Holds Voters Hostage
In the midst of declining student enrollment, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is asking voters in May to approve a $249 million all-or-nothing debt deal. If approved, GCISD’s total debt will increase by 78% to a level among the highest in the region—at over $44,000 per...
Texans Must Speak Loud and Clear on Tax Reform
The most effective ways to deliver lasting property tax relief are reforms that limit the taxing, spending, and borrowing power of local governments. But Texans should not expect such protections to be enacted willingly—they must speak louder than the government...
McKinney ISD’s Shameless Debt Proposition
The McKinney ISD school board has decided to foist a $220 million proposal on May’s ballot, a plan largely unrelated to improving educational quality. Its most controversial component is a $50 million football stadium that—if built—will be the most expensive of its...
Government Associations Oppose Taxpayer Transparency
Government interest groups are confessing their belief that reforms aimed at providing greater fiscal transparency to voters will be harmful to local governments. Unsurprisingly, a better-informed voter makes debt-hungry governments nervous. During Wednesday’s hearing...
Three Ways to Reform Runaway Debt and Taxes
Texans rank second highest in the nation for local debt liability – even after adjusting for our massive population growth.
North Texas Cities: Top 20 Largest Debt Burdens
Cities primarily issue two forms of debt—tax and revenue supported bonds.
Shaheen Stands for Ballot Transparency
Earlier this year, State Rep. Matt Shaheen (R-Plano) filed legislation that would forbid governmental agencies from spending taxpayer funds to employ lobbyists to kill taxpayer friendly reforms. State Sen. Konni Burton joined Shaheen in backing taxpayers, making state...
Debt Transparency Wildly Popular With Dallas Voters
Not only did November’s election validate support for conservatives, it also demonstrated bi-partisan support for local debt reform. Eighty-nine percent of Dallas City voters favored a measure that will now require increased ballot disclosure, garnering the highest...