When the state legislature convenes again in Austin, they will have a serious budget deficit to contend with due in large part to the Chinese coronavirus shutdowns that have strangled the state’s economy. A report from Comptroller Glenn Hegar reveals that in October,...
It’s the beginning of another month, which as of late has meant another report from the comptroller’s office showing a decline in sales tax collection in Texas compared to last year. On Tuesday, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said state sales tax revenue totaled $2.67...
McKinney residents got their first look at the city’s spending plans for the coming year at a city council budget workshop held Friday morning. During the meeting, it was revealed the city’s administrative expenses would grow faster than any other spending category....
Without action in the coming days, most Texans will not see any meaningful property tax relief as a direct result of the legislative session. Instead, Republican members of the Texas House are giving taxpayers yet another study on the property tax levy coupled with a...
Episode 84: Tony McDonald goes around the state to check in with Texas Scorecard local bureaus to find out what happened in the recent local elections in their area. Also, Brandon Waltens gives us an update on the 86th Texas Legislature. Tracy Marshall from...
A proposal to raise the state’s sales tax will not be voted on in the Texas House, despite state leaders promising to deliver on the measure as recently as Friday. Though the legislation by State Rep. Dan Huberty (R–Kingwood) was scheduled for a vote today, Huberty...
Shortly after Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen held a press conference rallying around raising the state sales tax in order to provide property tax relief, projections from the State’s Legislative Budget Board show most Texans...
Yes, you read the headline correctly. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is supporting a new tax increase claiming it will be used to lower property tax rates. The problem is, there’s no mechanism to ensure it results in real property tax relief for taxpayers. Even though...
Texas’ “Big Three” statewide leaders have begun to coalesce around a proposed solution to delivering property tax relief this session: raising the sales tax. In a joint statement released on Wednesday, Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen...
As lawmakers in the Texas House are pushing a “silver bullet” property tax “relief” proposal to raise the state’s sales tax, a leading national taxpayer advocate has come out swinging against the idea. Calling it a “misguided tax hike”, Grover Norquist—on behalf of...
The Texas House Committee on Ways and Means heard public testimony Wednesday on a proposal that would potentially give taxpayers property relief if enacted into law. State Rep. Charlie Geren (R–Fort Worth) detailed House Bill 705, a bill that would eliminate the...
Texas State Rep. Matt Krause (R–Fort Worth) has filed a bill that would give local governments in the state the option of substituting higher sales taxes in place of a property tax. House Bill 648, filed on January 4, would change the tax code so that, should a city...
In light of mounting sales tax revenues, Midland County Commissioners are looking to take some of the burden off property owners by effectively lowering their property tax rate. During a long deliberation at Monday’s commissioners court meeting, three tax rate...
This year’s uptick in the oil and gas industry has brought a surplus of jobs, people, and apparently sales tax revenue to Midland County. As a result, county commissioners are allocating nearly $12 million in funding to other local governments in Midland. The...
Early voting begins October 23rd and while seven constitutional amendments will be voted on state-wide, it’s important to know what to expect on your local ballot. City of Midland residents will have the opportunity to vote on a total of nine ballot propositions,...
Come November, a number of Ector County voters will have the option of adopting a 1.25 cent sales tax that county commissioners say will be used to restore infrastructure, address public safety needs, and lower property taxes. Unlike a traditional sales tax election,...
Voters sent a loud message to Midland City Council on Saturday. Of 6,781 total votes cast, 54-percent of voters elected to end the city’s 4B sales tax indefinitely. Midlanders also defeated a tax increase placed on the ballot last fall by MISD, meaning this is the...
More and more Texas cities are seeking additional revenue by placing special-purpose taxes on the local ballot – a type of sales tax that, unlike income tax and property tax, is actually determined by the voters. Unfortunately, sports venues, convention centers and...
Tuesday marked a big day for Midland taxpayers – possibly. Despite having the funds for quite some time, Midland City Council members only now voted unanimously to pay off the construction debt of the Scharbauer Sports Complex, possibly signaling the end of a...
Arlington officials are promoting five myths regarding the city’s controversial plan to build a new stadium for the Texas Rangers. Texans deserve the truth. Myth #1: If the vote fails, Arlington will lose the Rangers. The Rangers lease extends through 2024, or eight...
