Inflation Increase Is More Than Expected
Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for the month of September was released Thursday morning, and with it came more bad news with regard to our economic outlook. Inflation (year over year) came in at 8.2%. Though this is down from the recent peak at 9% in June, it is...
Texas Taxpayers Weigh Concerns Ahead of November Election
With only a month before the November general election, we surveyed subscribers of our weekly email, The Fiscal Note, about the issues they consider most likely to impact their decisions at the ballot box. The question posed to subscribers of The Fiscal Note was as...
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"...
Yet Another Somber Debt Milestone
$31 trillion. Written another way, $31,000,000,000,000. Sadly, milestones like these seem to have become all too regular. They are almost as certain as the political theatre performed by the U.S. Congress every few months over whether or not to raise the debt ceiling....
Episode 8: Texas Gubernatorial Debate & Property Taxes
https://youtu.be/RhbFs8bvZ9s Episode Description 💰 In this episode of 𝗧𝗔𝗫𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦, we discuss the recent and only Texas Gubernatorial Debate and more specifically the candidate's thoughts on property tax in Texas, as well as a Texas House Appropriations...
Texas Taxpayers Do Not Support Continued Corporate Welfare
Following a recent interim hearing of the Texas House Ways & Means Committee where they discussed several issues important to Texas taxpayers (including the potential revitalization of Chapter 313 tax abatements), we surveyed subscribers to The Fiscal Note about...
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, including...
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 state...
Episode 7: Political Activism, Deceptive Cities, and Chapter 313 Tax Abatements
https://youtu.be/1DTMll47XWM Episode Description 💰 In this episode of 𝗧𝗔𝗫𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦, we discuss political activism in fiscal policy, deceptive cities raising taxes, and chapter 313 tax abatements. Articles Referenced The Importance of Political Activism in...