Month: February 2021

Originally implemented in 2001, property tax abatements have exploded as local governments across Texas compete with each other in an endless cycle of targeted giveaways to big business. The time to end this unfair, costly, and crony practice has come. Defined in Chapter 312 of the Tax Code, these virtually unlimited tax incentives allow the value of…

As extreme cold batters the Lone Star State and power failures leave millions huddling for warmth in their homes, dealing with broken pipes, and rendering many roads unnavigable, many Texans are looking to the latest from ERCOT or the weather forecast to see when they might find relief from a crisis caused by poor planning,…

For most of Texas history, tuition rates at public colleges and universities were set by the Texas Legislature. That changed in 2003 when lawmakers “de-regulated” tuition and voted to give the state universities the ability to set their own rates, with proponents arguing increased competition between universities would result in better rates and returns for…

The Governor’s role in the budget process explained in a way taxpayers can understand.

Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks’ decided to axe the pre-game playing of the national anthem for the foreseeable future—a development that sparked widespread condemnation from Texans. [email protected] Your decision to cancel our National Anthem at @dallasmavs games is a slap in the face to every American & an embarrassment to Texas. Sell the franchise…

Texas Comptroller explained in a way taxpayers can understand.

Depending on your perspective, Texas has either held the line by declining to legalize recreational marijuana or lagged behind the nation as more and more states have enacted laws regulating and taxing the sale of the plant and its derivatives. As of November 2020, 15 states have legalized recreational marijuana. The most recent was Arizona,…

Following the State of the State address, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility issued the following statement: “As it relates to the Texas budget and other related fiscal matters, Gov. Abbott did not say much. However, the Governor’s speech does not change Texas taxpayers’ expectations for the legislative session. A majority of Texans voted for lawmakers who promised to…