Andrew McVeigh
EXPLAINER: The Basics of How to Engage with the Legislature
The Texas State Legislature meets for its Constitutionally-required regular session once every odd-numbered year for 140 days from roughly mid-January to the end of May. The Governor can call additional special sessions of thirty days at any point outside of…
The Price of Open Borders
The Fiscal Implications of an Unsecured Border and Illegal Immigration 232,972. That’s how many illegal immigrants were encountered on our southern border in August alone, with over 181,000 apprehensions. That is up from 183,494 encounters in July and 144,570 in…
Federal Reserve Holds Steady
The Federal Reserve holds interest rates at current levels, but the future outlook is more uncertain. At their September meeting held last week, The Federal Reserve’s “Federal Open Markets Committee” (FOMC) declined to increase Federal Funds Interest Rates further and…
TFR Calls for Third Special Session to “Ax the Tax”
Today, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) requesting that he immediately call a third special legislative session, to address a host of pressing issues affecting all Texas taxpayers and families. It is already…
Federal Reserve’s Upcoming September Meeting
Rate Hike Speculation and Recession Concerns for 2024 On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will meet to discuss the state of the US economy, the ongoing threat of inflation, and possible interest…
Stop the Spending Spree: US Freedom Caucus Opposes Status Quo as Possible Shutdown Looms
With the Federal Government’s fiscal year rapidly coming to an end on September 30th, Congress must pass a “continuing resolution,” on spending, or once again face a partial government shutdown. This continuing resolution is essentially a temporary spending bill, using…
August Jobs Report: Rising Unemployment and Dissatisfaction
The US economy under President Biden continued its mellow pace in August, as Americans continued to strain under the burdens of record inflation, rising interest rates, and economic uncertainty. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its raw jobs report…
Last Call for Texas Taxpayers: Final Chance to Challenge Rising Taxes and Local Spending
Every year in August and September, Local Governments across the Lone Star State set about the task of proposing and then adopting their tax rates and budgets for the next year. Last month, TFR reminded Texas taxpayers about the impending…
Labor Day Legacy and the Challenge of Modern Marxism
Today is Labor Day in the United States, and for those who are celebrating, resting, or firing up the grill, it is appropriate that we revisit the origins of this national holiday, and examine the state of human labor in…
Under Threat: Local Government Preemption Bill Challenged by Liberal Cities in Court
This Friday, the first of September, roughly 800 new laws passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by Governor Abbott are going fully or partially into effect for the first time. One of those bills designed to protect Texans from…
By The Numbers: A Look at the Recent Property Tax Rate and Budget Proposals Across Texas
Earlier this month, TFR reminded Texas Taxpayers that the time of local budget setting and property tax rate adoptions was rapidly approaching. Now, just a few weeks later, many major cities and counties across the Lone Star State have put…
Unexpected Twist: Dallas Mayor for Fiscal Responsibility?
In the intricate political landscape of Texas politics, more often than not those politicians that claim to be “Republicans” or “conservatives” advocate for fiscally responsible government, lower taxes, and less spending by government entities. Dallas Changing their Playbook? Yet, in…
Get Involved Now! Local Governments to Adopt New Property Tax Rates
Are you a homeowner? A small business owner? Farmer or rancher? Texas property owner of any kind? If you are, then this information is for you! Tax Rates Every year, local governments in Texas set a budget for their operations…
Need to Know: A Look at the Texas Constitution Amendment Propositions on the Ballot
This November, Texans across the State will go to the polls to vote on fourteen (14) amendment propositions to the Texas Constitution. These proposed amendments were passed by two-thirds of both the Texas House and the Texas Senate and require…
Legislators Celebrate Second-Largest Property Tax Relief Package in Texas History
In an official commemoration surrounded by Texas legislators, Governor Abbott ceremoniously signed and celebrated the second-largest property tax relief package in Texas history. Taking place in New Caney, Texas, and livestreamed online, Governor Abbott on Wednesday ceremoniously signed the new…