Executive Summary Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed property tax legislation passed this session by the Texas Legislature. Since then, quite a few Texas politicians have been claiming that the Legislature committed $50 billion or so property tax relief this session….

Taxpayer Dollars for the Austin Swamp, Part Two Texas lawmakers have decided that the best way to promote jobs and culture is by handing Hollywood a $1.5 billion check. On May 29, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 22, which…

It is a difficult time to be a taxpayer in Texas. One example: appropriations of state funds during the recently concluded regular session were up 55% over appropriations in 2021, an $89 billion increase in just four years, while the…

This week, TFR sent the following Letter to Governor Greg Abbott, requesting that he veto Senate Bill 646 and Senate Bill 974, two bills that grow government and expand entitlements. Dear Governor Abbott, We are writing to respectfully urge you…

Overview The 89th Texas Legislature adjourned last week after approving a record-breaking $338 billion two-year budget, funded in part by a $24 billion surplus. While lawmakers advanced several high-profile measures, including a new school choice program and energy safety regulations, critics noted…

For a company that touts itself as a “trusted and reliable community partner,” San Antonio-owned utility CPS Energy has some explaining to do. Recent reporting shows that the utility still owes certain energy suppliers roughly $350 million from purchases it…

As Congress revives the misnamed Credit Card Competition Act and state legislatures push bills to regulate swipe fees, policymakers are quietly setting the stage for a major disruption in how Americans access credit. These proposals aim to cap interchange fees—those…

The 89th Texas Legislative Session came to an end on June 2nd, culminating with several meaningful wins for fiscal conservatives across the Lone Star State, but also leaving them with much to be desired and far more work to be…

Taxpayers should be alarmed at final 2026–27 budget passed by the Texas Legislature. What started as competing proposals from the Senate and House has ended in a bloated conference committee budget that dramatically expands state government beyond what key measures like…

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for May 31st, 2025 Texas House of Representatives Subject: Conference Committee Report Senate Bill 1 (CCR SB 1) – General Appropriations Act Texas Senate Subject: Conference Committee Report Senate Bill 1 (CCR SB…

Texas Taxpayers Need a Break State Funds Spending Up $25 Billion The Texas Legislature is on the verge of adopting its final budget for the 2026-27 fiscal biennium. Few people are aware of this, but that budget consists of two…

Now It’s Up to the Governor to Stop It Just one day after narrowly passing the Texas House on second reading, Senate Bill 646—an expensive, government-growing student loan forgiveness program—cleared its final hurdle in the chamber with even more Republican…

On May 27th—the final day for bills to pass on second reading in the Texas House—fifteen Republican lawmakers broke with conservative principles and sided with Democrats to pass Senate Bill 646 by State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas), a bloated and…

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for May 28th, 2025 Texas House of Representatives NONE Texas Senate Subject: House Bill 20 (HB 20) – Skilled trades high school certification Subject: House Bill 127 (HB 127) – Hostile Foreign Influence Subject: House…

At a time when inflation continues to eat away at savings and federal monetary policy grows increasingly reckless, Texas lawmakers have a chance to take a bold stand for financial freedom. House Bill 1056 (HB 1056) by Rep. Mark Dorazio…