Fiscal responsibility ratings for Texas state lawmakers have been released for the 88th Legislative Session, revealing the overall average of fiscal responsibility among elected lawmakers is 42 points out of 100—a failing grade. Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR)...
AUSTIN––Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a new corporate welfare scheme, masquerading as “economic incentives,” into law during a private signing ceremony on Wednesday. Today, a historic moment, as @GovAbbott signed House Bill 5 (Hunter, R) the Texas Jobs, Energy,...
With days left in the state legislative session, the Texas Senate has passed an expansive corporate welfare scheme to replace a similar program that expired at the end of last year. House Bill 5 by State Rep. Todd Hunter (R–Corpus Christi) would create a new statewide...
Business lobbyists and school district officials are working to persuade Texas lawmakers to establish a new corporate welfare program. House Bill 5 by State Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) would replace a controversial economic incentive program known as Chapter...
Despite opposition from fiscal conservatives, lawmakers in the Texas House have continued their streak of voting for additional corporate welfare handouts. “This legislative session has been the most fiscally irresponsible in decades,” Tim Hardin, president of Texans...
Texas House lawmakers delayed the floor vote on a controversial corporate welfare program, a longtime practice where state and local officials make “economic incentive” deals with handpicked businesses. House Bill 3600 by State Rep. Four Price (R–Amarillo) would...
With the Texas Legislature heading into the final month of the legislative session, a majority of lawmakers in the Texas House have indicated their support for reviving a controversial corporate welfare program. Chapter 313 allowed school districts to offer large tax...
While the Texas House considers new “economic incentive” schemes, a Dallas-based think tank is condemning corporate welfare programs—and the lawmakers who support them. The Huffines Liberty Foundation—a project from former State Sen. Don Huffines—released a new paper...
A new “economic incentive” scheme put forth by the Texas House to replace the state’s expired Chapter 313 program drew criticism from citizens during a public hearing. “This corporate welfare amounts to a $31 billion loss statewide,” said Houston-area resident...
Embracing the destination resort-style casinos envisioned in multiple legislative proposals this session, Abbott signaled his support for a “gaming version of the Great Wolf Lodge” in an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. State Rep. Charlie Geren (R–Fort...
Legislation to legalize gambling for a limited number of destination resorts has been filed in the Texas House. State Rep. Charlie Geren (R–Fort Worth) announced on Friday the filing of House Joint Resolution 97, a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling in...
A candidate forum this week featuring Democrat and Republican nominees for a Dallas-area state House District highlighted the disconnect between politicians in both parties and the people they aim to represent—this time, on the issue of subsidizing businesses with...
On Thursday, the Texas House Ways and Means Committee met to consider several interim charges, including the scheduled ending of Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code—Texas’ corporate welfare scheme. Chapter 313 allows local school districts to offer large tax breaks—for...
As Texas businesses and consumers struggle with the rising costs of inflation, the Texas House Committee on Ways and Means is set to consider reviving a corporate welfare program that diverts tax dollars to “incentivize” select businesses. On Thursday, the committee...
After the Texas Legislature chose not to extend a massive corporate welfare program last year, House Speaker Dade Phelan is doubling down on previous pledges to work to bring the controversial program back. Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code allows school districts to...
Earlier this week, the city of Georgetown, Texas, secured a $3.24 million deal with solar panel company GAF Energy. GAF Energy, an offshoot of Standard Industries, produces the world’s first nailable solar panel shingle. The company promises their product “protects...
As Texas officials force Texans to fund special deals with leftist corporations, Texas Scorecard reached out to all of the Republican candidates in the runoff election for the state Legislature to ask whether they would support ending the practice of corporate...
After the Texas Legislature chose not to extend a massive corporate welfare program, one Republican lawmaker has filed a bill during the current special session in an attempt to push back the program’s expiration. Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code allows school...
For almost two decades, Republicans have controlled all statewide offices and both chambers of the Texas Legislature. Despite this reality and campaign promises to the contrary, legislative priorities of the Republican Party of Texas have repeatedly been ignored....
As the Texas House debates and amends the state’s biennial budget, two forms of corporate welfare have been stripped out of their version for now. An amendment proposed by State Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R–Arlington) eliminated the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive...
