TFR Staff
In Latest CPI Release, Inflation Rears Its Ugly Head Again
After months of significant declines in CPI inflation, today the CPI (Consumer Price Index) numbers for August showed a resurgence of inflation in the U.S. In August, the CPI rose by 0.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, marking a…
The Gold-Backed BRICS Currency and the Danger to the Fiat Dollar
Introduction In the realm of global finance and economics, the potential introduction of a gold-backed currency by the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has gained attention as a potential challenge to the established fiat dollar system. This proposal…
This Independence Day, Remember We Fought A War Over Taxes
Taxation has always been an integral part of a nation’s economic system, enabling governments to fund public services and fulfill their obligations. The Revolutionary War marked a turning point in American history, as colonists fought for independence from British rule….
2023: Tops & Flops List
Since 2007, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR) has attempted to provide Texas taxpayers with a tool to easily discern how their lawmakers perform on issues related to the size and role of government. The Fiscal Responsibility Index uses votes taken…
Explainer: What Is Tax Compression?
Introduction As the debate about the superior property tax relief package continues, many would imagine the most common question that TFR gets is whether we support tax compression or increasing the homestead exemption. Although that is a safe assumption, that…
Episode 20: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the 88th Legislative Session
Episode Description 💰 In our FINAL EPISODE of this season of 𝗧𝗔𝗫𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦, we are joined by special guests Vance Ginn, Ph.D., and Bill Peacock to discuss the 88th Legislative Session, what happened, what did not happen, the good, the…
Episode 15: The Session Comes to a Close With Not Much to Show for It
Episode Description 💰 In our fifteenth and final episode of 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗, we discuss the end of the 88th Legislative Session and lack of successes for things on Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s “emergency agenda” and items important to Texas…
TFR Statement on Conference Committee Report for HB 1 – General Appropriations Act
With only a few days left of the ongoing 88th Legislative Session, state lawmakers have presented a Conference Committee Report for House Bill 1 that represents perhaps the largest increase in spending in Texas history; it is certainly the biggest…
Episode 19: Will They Get to Property Tax Relief in Time?
Episode Description 💰 In this episode of 𝗧𝗔𝗫𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦, we discuss what still has the potential to get done before imminent key deadlines in the near-ended Texas 88th Legislative Session. Will Texas taxpayers get tangible property tax relief? Will we…
Vote Notice 5.24.23
Texas Senate Subject: Repealing Onerous Regulation, House Bill 3419 (HB 3419) Subject: Corporate Welfare Revival, House Bill 5 (HB 5) Subject: Harmful History of Communism Curriculum, House Bill 2273 (HB 2273) Subject: Raising Pensions of Lawmakers, While Ignoring Taxpayers, House Bill 2779 (HB 2779) Subject: Anti-Free Enterprise, House Bill 3942 (HB 3942) Subject: Encouraging an Inequitable…
Vote Notice 5.23.22
Texas Senate Subject: Anti-Free Enterprise, House Bill 3942 (HB 3942) Subject: Alteration in the Way the No-New-Revenue Tax Rate is Calculated, House Bill 4456 (HB 4456) Subject: Anti-Taxpayer, House Bill 100 (HB 100) Subject: Increased Transparency, House Bill 614 (HB 614) Subject: Transparency for Taxpayers, House Bill 1228 (HB 1228) Subject: Restoring Penalty for Illegal Voting, House…
Episode 14: Legislative Session Ending Soon, What is Still Moving?
Episode Description 💰 In our fourteenth episode of 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗, we discuss the impending deadlines in both legislative chambers as we enter the final full week of the ongoing 88th Legislative Session and what they mean for things like…
Vote Notice 5.22.23
Texas Senate Subject: Border Security, House Bill 7 (HB 7) Subject: State Sovereignty to Regulate Oil and Gas Operations, House Bill 33 (HB 33) Subject: Border Security, House Bill 800 (HB 800) Subject: Transparency & Accountability for School Board Grievances, House Bill 890 (HB 890) Subject: Tax Credits & Corporate Welfare, House Bill 1058 (HB…
Vote Notice 5.21.23
Texas Senate Subject: Medicaid Expansion for Post-Partum Women, House Bill 12 (HB 12) Subject: Prescription Drug Importation Program, House Bill 25 (HB 25) Subject: Further Entrenching the Role of the State in Mental Health, House Bill 400 (HB 400) Subject: READER Act, House Bill 900 (HB 900) Subject: Expanding Gambling, House Bill 1759 (HB 1759)…
Vote Notice 5.20.23
Texas Senate None Texas House of Representatives Subject: Pro-Property Rights, Senate Bill 785 (SB 785) Subject: Pro-Taxpayer, Senate Bill 1252 (SB 1252) Subject: Corporate Welfare, Senate Bill 2325 (SB 2325) Reminder: Vote Notices are provided to both Texas state lawmakers and the general public in advance of Texans for Fiscal…