School is just around the corner and for nearly every student returning to a public university in Texas something will be noticeably different - their costs have increased! But wait, I thought the point of public universities was to provide Texans with a quality...
State Spending
From the Senate Race to the Speaker’s Race
A refocused Tea Party can have just as significant of an impact on the 2013 State Legislature.
GOP Battle Brewing Over Texas Taxes
A nasty fissure is opening in the leadership team of Texas House Speaker Joe Straus on the issue of property taxes.
TBC: Limit State Spending
Texas may be doing better than other states, but such comparisons overlook the long-term fiscal problems our state will be faced with if we don’t get spending under control. The Texas Budget Compact seeks to make our state stronger by enacting constitutional...
Convenient Budget Switch?
For nearly 20 years, the Texas Legislature has balanced the state’s budget through “funds consolidation” – a gimmick allowing legislators to use funds for things other than their intended purpose.
Finally Ending Property Taxes?
Texas doesn't have 'a' property tax, as any property owner knows, we have hundreds -- nay, thousands. Schools, cities, counties, hospitals... they and more have claims on your property. Now one state legislator says he wants to abolish them, or at least start moving...
Spending Cap More Popular Than Ever
By the largest margin yet, Republican Primary voters want a constitutionally strict limit on how fast government can grow. More than 94 percent of GOP voters -- 1.3 million of the 1.4 million votes cast -- want all levels of government restricted to the growth of...
Support For Spending Limits Remains Strong
There will be plenty to analyze from last night’s primary election results, but one thing became immediately clear: GOP Primary voters continue to overwhelmingly support spending limits on state government. For the fourth election cycle in a row, Texas GOP Primary...
No Savings For You, Keller
When Keller's city manager eliminated his own position this spring, saying the city didn't need so many administrators, conservatives and taxpayers cheered someone watching out for the people. Apparently we all cheered too fast. Lots of folks from around the nation...
Money To Play With
The next time bureaucrats in higher education complain about parents, students and legislators suggesting there should be more oversight of our state-financed institutions, ask them about universities buying restaurants far above market-value. And for no immediate...