Spotlight on the 87th: Overriding Executive Orders
In today's Spotlight on the 87th Legislative Session, we look back at a vote taken by lawmakers in the Texas House of Representatives that would have reined in the executive overreach of Texas Governor Greg Abbott during the COVID 19 pandemic. Taxpayer Champion State...
Spotlight on the 87th: Music Venue Subsidies
In today's Spotlight on the 87th Legislative Session, we look back at Senate Bill 609, authored by State Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston). SB 609 created a new corporate welfare program for music venues by creating the Texas Music Incubator program which in turn hands...
Abbott Sets Special Election for Property Tax Trinket Propositions
On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, May 7, 2022 as a special election day for two proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution that resulted from the saga surrounding the issue of property tax relief in the recent...
Spotlight on the 87th: Failure to Address Mask Mandates
In today's Spotlight on the 87th Legislative Session, we look back at an amendment by Taxpayer Champion State Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Brazoria) on House Bill 3 that would have prohibited mask mandates by the state. HB 3, as it was being deliberated in the...
Party Conventions – Part Two: It All Begins at the Precinct Level
Primary Election Day is March 1st, but it also marks the first step in the state party convention process, attending your individual precinct conventions. The majority of these precinct conventions take place after the polls close, although some larger county party...
Spotlight On The 87th: Record Committee Votes
In today's Spotlight on the 87th Legislative Session, we look back on a vote taken by lawmakers in the Texas House of Representatives that would have required record votes on legislation referred to House Committees within 14 days, if requested by lawmakers. Amendment...
Spotlight On The 87th: Democrat Committee Chairs
In today's Spotlight on the 87th Legislative Session, we look back at the vote taken in the Texas House of Representatives to prevent Democrat lawmakers from chairing House Committees. The amendment was brought to the overall House Rules Resolution, HR 4, as it was...
Explainer: What are the Alternatives to the Property Tax?
Property taxes have been levied by governments in Texas since before its independence from Mexico. How the tax has been levied however has changed over time. In the last few decades, the burden of property taxes has exponentially increased as a portion of the overall...
Party Conventions – Part One: The Work Continues After Primary Elections
Early voting begins next week (February 14 through February 25) for the primary elections where both Democrats and Republicans will choose their candidates for the General Election in November. Primary election season is certainly one of the busiest seasons in Texas...