Though lawmakers have filed over six-hundred items of legislation since pre-filing began this week, few measures would be as impactful as State Sen. Konni Burton’s landmark debt transparency bill. Texans are currently saddled with the second highest local debt per...
One of North Texas’ most conservative state senators declared his support for the repeal of Robin Hood and the expansion of parental choice in education. During a recent townhall featuring Education Commissioner Mike Morath, State Sen. Don Huffines (R-Dallas)...
A police chief with a history of problems is being recycled from one cushy job to another, according to city reports. Condolences to the Bayou City: Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo has accepted a job as the Houston Police Chief. Although a start date for his new job...
In addressing the wave of protesters shrieking their frustration with Trump’s victory in the streets, city officials are assuring their constituency that conservative ideals – namely, enforcement of existing immigration law – will not gain a foothold in the...
Though lawmakers began filing legislation early Monday morning, it took until lunchtime Wednesday for one to file a bill concerning any of the five legislative priorities of the Republican Party of Texas. State Rep. Jonathan Stickland (R–Bedford) filed “constitutional...
With the Trump Administration promising to “drain the swamp” and fundamentally reform the business-as-usual culture of Washington, DC, the appointment of the next Secretary of Education will show just how badly the president-elect wants to shake up the status quo. And...
State Rep. Matt Rinaldi is renewing his commitment to repeal the state’s dubious and problem-laden “Robin Hood” school finance scheme, filing a bill on the first day possible in anticipation of the upcoming legislative session. “Taxpayers continue to see their local...
Since coming to Austin, State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Canton) has been a leading conservative voice. Replacing liberal Republican Bob Duell in the primary two years ago, Hall quickly proved that he was in fact the “right Bob for the job” and served a key role in the fiery...
A major plank in Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s first-of-its-kind pension reform plan hinges on city council’s approval of $1 billion in pension obligation bonds. But one Houston senator hopes to change the way those types of bonds are approved. On the first day of...
After being elected to the Texas Senate only two years ago, State Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) proved to be one of the leading reformers in the chamber last session. Now, Perry is building on his record by carrying SB 4, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priority legislation...
While most Texans are already frustrated that the state allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition to Texas colleges, what they don’t know is that the state further subsidizes their tuition to the tune of millions of dollars through TEXAS grants. That could...
Despite election results that were a referendum against “business as usual” in Washington, DC, a member of Congress from Texas wants to give pork-barrel spending new life. According to the Daily Signal, Republican US Rep. John Culberson of Harris County is...
State Rep. Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford) yesterday released a report and recommendations on Texas’ foster care system. In it, he analyzes many of the issues with Child Protective Services including: leadership, technology, infrastructure, caseworkers, foster care,...
Following major revelations that many of the state’s agencies were abusing “emergency leave” to offer illegal severance packages to outgoing state employees, many lawmakers have called for significant reform on the issue. Chief among them was State Sen. Jane Nelson...
As lawmakers were busy filing legislation for the 85th Session of the Texas Legislature, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick identified the areas for reform that he would like to see reformed when the body returns in January. “Starting in 2017, we will have a friend in the White...
By electing Donald Trump on Tuesday, voters entrusted the Republican Party with the highest office in the nation and gave the Establishment a “stunning repudiation.” At the same time they returned a Congressional majority in both chambers, and expanded the number of...
Devoted father of two, husband, Navy veteran, and fearless taxpayer champion. These are just a few ways to describe Aubrey Mayberry of Odessa, TX. Mayberry’s story demonstrates how the simplest (and in some cases major) experiences in life can lead someone to discover...
In a stunningly self-destructive move, one fixture of the Austin establishment has decided to unmask herself and levy a profanity-fueled attack on Gov. Greg Abbott in the days following Donald Trump’s election as President. On Wednesday, Texas Monthly Senior Editor...
Hays County residents approved the two bond measures on the ballot yesterday, adding $237.8 million in new debt and bringing their total local debt to $584.8 million. Hays County already has the second highest per-capita local debt out of counties with a population...
Barring legislative action, Austin is poised to become a true-blue sanctuary city following last night’s election results – which had Democratic Candidate Sally Hernandez winning the office of Travis County Sheriff in a 60 percent landslide. Normally, when an arrest...
