Vance Ginn

Explainers

Sustainable Tax Relief: Why Surplus Triggers Are Better Than Revenue Triggers

States across the country are rethinking tax reform to stay competitive for residents and businesses. Many are exploring ways to phase out personal income, business franchise, and property taxes to attract workers, foster economic growth, and ensure property rights. But…

Commentary

Tackling Texas’ Housing Affordability Crisis

Texas is at a critical point in addressing its housing affordability crisis. As the property tax burden on Texans is at historic highs, the State’s housing market faces serious challenges that drive up costs and limit access to affordable homes….

Commentary

Texas vs. California: Which Model Works Better?

In the latest economic showdown between Texas and California—the two largest U.S. states by population and economic output—the results are clear: Texas is outpacing California in job creation and overall economic performance.  Over the year leading up to September 2024,…

Commentary

The Ginn Economic Brief: U.S. Economic Situation-October 2024

Big Government Is Holding America Back America’s federal debt has now skyrocketed past $35 trillion—an increase of $2.3 trillion in just the last fiscal year. Inflation persists, with core prices rising 3.3% over the past year. Meanwhile, government jobs are…

Commentary

The Case for Prosperity: Less Government, More Growth in Texas

As Texas faces rising property taxes and record-high government spending, it’s time to reassess the path toward long-term prosperity. Recent data illustrates Texas’ strengths and challenges.  In August 2024, Texas maintained a 4.1% unemployment rate, while the state’s GDP grew…

Commentary

The High and Rising Burden of Property Taxes.

The following piece is taken from Dr. Vance Ginn’s Testimony to the Texas House Select Committee on Sustainable Property Tax Relief: Over the last decade, the Texas Legislature has made some progress in providing property tax relief, but the housing…

Research

2026-27 Frozen Texas Budget: Reining in Unsustainable Spending

Overview Introduction ​Recently, the Texas Legislative Budget Board released the Fiscal Size-Up 2024-25 Biennium report with the latest estimated or budgeted amounts in the prior 2022-23 budget and the appropriated 2024-25 budget. The results from the 88th Texas Legislature’s efforts…

Commentary

Commentary: Texas Is Overfunding Public Education

The State of Texas is pouring unprecedented amounts of taxpayer money into public education with little to show for it.  From the 2014-15 school year, to the 2022-23 school year, total education spending surged 53% to $92.4 billion, while per-student…

Commentary

The Ginn Economic Brief: Texas Economic Situation – Summer 2024

Texas at the Crossroads: Sustaining Leadership Amid New Challenges Texas has long been at the forefront of job creation in the U.S., consistently outpacing other states, particularly since the COVID lockdowns. However, recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics…

Research

Why Does Texas Need Universal School Choice?

This commentary was originally published at VanceGinn.com here. It is being republished with permission from the author. Overview Despite increases in public education expenditures with taxpayer money in Texas, student performance is flat or declining. Texas is falling behind thriving states…

News

The Texas Fiscal Size-Up: What You Need to Know

Introduction The Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB) publishes the “Fiscal Size-Up” report after every session to comprehensively review the state’s budget and fiscal actions for the biennium. The latest report, covering the 2024-25 budget period, offers crucial insights into how…

Commentary

Red States, Blue States: A Tale of Two Economies

This commentary was originally published at the American Institute for Economic Research here. It is being republished with permission from the author. The latest employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for June 2024 offers a compelling snapshot of the divergent economic…

Research

Let Americans Prosper Project: Ensuring Fiscal Sustainability for America’s Future

This commentary was originally published at VanceGinn.com here. It is being republished with permission from the author. Executive Summary The United States faces a critical fiscal crisis due to the lack of robust economic growth and excessive government spending. This leads…

Commentary

The Ginn Economic Brief: U.S. Economic Situation–May 2024

Unlocking Prosperity: Steering America Back to Free-Market Fundamentals As the latest economic indicators from April 2024 unfold, it’s becoming alarmingly clear that America’s path to prosperity is at a critical juncture. A steadfast return to free-market capitalism with limited government…

Commentary

The Ginn Economic Brief: Texas Economic Situation – May 2024

Texas at the Forefront: Leading the Charge but Facing New Challenges Texas continues to blaze trails in the labor market, with recent data from the Texas Workforce Commission showing a robust addition of over 42,000 jobs and an unemployment rate…