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No… We Don’t Need More Corporate Welfare in Texas

It never seems to amaze me how often “conservative” politicians are willing to give your money over to corrupt corporations in the form of corporate welfare. Recently, disgraced former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dennis Bonnen (then-state representative…

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Cities Using Loophole to Raise Taxes Without Approval Elections

Many taxpayers have reached out to us regarding cities and other local political subdivisions raising taxes beyond their voter approval thresholds without triggering an election. Many have wondered how this is possible after the supposed “historic property tax reform” of…

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In Debate, Abbott Says He Will Eliminate School Property Taxes

Last Friday, Texas taxpayers had a chance to watch the one and only debate between former U.S. Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D) and incumbent Governor Greg Abbott (R) before the November general election. The two addressed several issues important to Texans,…

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Political Theatre on Fiscal Prudence in Texas House of Representatives

During the 86th legislative session in 2019, state lawmakers passed legislation related to strategic fiscal reviews of state agencies and programs, seemingly an attempt at fiscal prudence relating to the allocation of tax dollars at the state level for some…

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Abbott Refuses to Relinquish Power, Extends COVID Emergency Again

Yesterday, Abbott renewed his COVID disaster declaration for another 30 days. Texas is now lagging behind the rest of the nation as one of only 12 states that have refused to lay down their unconstitutional executive power. This marks the…

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Senate Committee on Local Government Meets on Important Taxpayer Items

This week, the Senate Committee on Local Government met to deal with a list of issues and charges, some of which involved property taxes, taxpayer-funded lobbying, and appraisal reform. In many ways, this was the Senate version of the charges…

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House Committees Met on Issues Important to Texas Taxpayers

On Thursday, both the Texas House Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees held interim public hearings in preparation for the upcoming legislative session set to begin in January of 2023. Texans for Fiscal Responsibility was there in person to help…

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Opportunities Grow for Texas Taxpayers Concerned About Property Taxes

As state lawmakers prepare for the 2023 legislative session in the coming weeks, Texas taxpayers have multiple opportunities to address state lawmakers on issues like their ever-increasing property tax burdens.   Texas Senate Local Government Committee The Texas Senate Local…

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Eliminate Property Tax: By the Numbers

Recently, the 22,000-member Facebook group Eliminate the Property Tax featured a write-up by group admin Russell Bennett that supports House Bill 3742 (from the 83rd legislative session) and explains why their group is still in support of the bill, which they…

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Abbott Draws Line in the Sand on Budget Surplus Use for Property Tax Relief

On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott reportedly opined on the projected budget surplus and its partial use for the purposes of providing a property tax cut.   “Texas is sitting on a record budget surplus of $27 billion… Because this…

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Polling Suggests Most Texans Want True Property Tax Relief

This week, the Defend Texas Liberty PAC released polling that suggested a majority of Texans, from both major political parties, support using a majority of the projected budget surplus to lower their property tax burdens.   Polling Results Among several…

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Despite Promises From Appropriators, No Major Cities Are Adopting the No-New-Revenue Rate

It’s that time of year again: local governments across Texas are considering their budgets for the next fiscal year and setting their tax rates to support such spending. This year is special for Texas taxpayers because it is a year…

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Upcoming Opportunity for Texas Taxpayers to Opine on Growing Property Tax Problem

As state lawmakers prepare for the 2023 legislative session in the coming weeks, Texas taxpayers have an opportunity to address them on issues like their ever-increasing property tax burdens.   Texas House Ways & Means Committee The Texas House Ways…

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Abbott Spends $1,400 per Bus Rider to Help Biden Keep Illegal Immigrants in America

Currently in Texas, immigrants caught crossing the border illegally can volunteer to be put on charter buses, which are primarily paid for by Texas taxpayers. These immigrants are then securely bused to either Washington, D.C., or New York City. This…

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No Such Thing as Failing Schools in Texas, Sort Of

An announcement from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on Monday came with great news! According to them, there is no such thing as a failing school in Texas … kind of. The TEA just released its newest accountability ratings for…