Budget Surplus
Texans Can Downsize Texas Government in November
Texas politicians had a choice to make this spring. With a record $80 billion of new revenue available, they could either spend the money or give it back to Texas taxpayers in the form of property tax relief. Unfortunately for…
Nearly 800 New Laws on the Horizon
This Friday, September 1st, 2023, marks the day nearly 800 new laws, passed by the 88th Legislature, go into effect. Of those, several will impact Texas taxpayers directly both immediately and into the future. For Texas taxpayers, the 88th Legislative…
The Ginn Economic Brief: Texas Economic Situation β August 2023
Texas is a leader in job creation over the last year and since February 2020. But Texas faces major headwinds as the recently ended 88th Legislature looked more like California than what is expected from the free-market bastion of hope…
Texas Passes Largest Budget Increase in Texas History
Overview Texas Passes Largest Budget Increase in Texas History Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) recentlyΒ signed the Texas budgetΒ (HB 1) passed by the 88th Texas LegislatureΒ with the largest spending increases, the largest corporate welfare increases, and the largest social safety net…
Property Tax Relief: Where Does It Stand?
The first-called special session has officially crossed the two-week mark, and with that, not much has changed regarding actual progress to bring down the skyrocketing tax bills of Texans. Among the various bills, property tax relief plans, political rhetoric, posturing,…
Where Are the Fiscal Conservatives?
Lost in all of the noise and chaos surrounding the 88th Legislative Session is the fact that Republican lawmakers, who have enjoyed a comfortable majority in the Texas Legislature for the last two decades, ushered in the biggest spending increase…
Episode 20: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the 88th Legislative Session
Episode Description π° In our FINAL EPISODE of this season of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we are joined by special guests Vance Ginn, Ph.D., and Bill Peacock to discuss the 88th Legislative Session, what happened, what did not happen, the good, the…
Episode 15: The Session Comes to a Close With Not Much to Show for It
Episode Description π° In our fifteenth and final episode of π§ππ πͺπππ πππππ, we discuss the end of the 88th Legislative Session and lack of successes for things on Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s “emergency agenda” and items important to Texas…
Episode 19: Will They Get to Property Tax Relief in Time?
Episode Description π° In this episode of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we discuss what still has the potential to get done before imminent key deadlines in the near-ended Texas 88th Legislative Session. Will Texas taxpayers get tangible property tax relief? Will we…
TFR Statement On SB3 – Property Tax Relief
Taxpayers have a lot to be thankful for what seems to be a compromise between the House and Senate with the latest version of Senate Bill 3. As passed by the House, this bill includes $12 billion for a 15-cent…
Texas House Improves Senate’s Property Tax Relief Proposal
On Thursday, the Texas House of Representatives considered Senate Bill 3, or one of the prioritized pieces of legislation included in Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s property tax relief package. It passed its initial consideration by a vote of 140…
Episode 18: Texas Lawmakers Are Feeling the Pressure on Property Tax Relief!
Episode Description π° In this episode of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we discuss the potential for renewed life when it comes to tangible property tax relief as a result of the nearly concluded 88th Legislative Session. We also talk about the prospects…
The Petulant Children Squabbling Over Property Tax Relief
If you are a Texas taxpayer and hoping to get tangible property tax relief as an outcome of the ongoing 88th Legislative Session, you might be disappointed. Not only does it look as if nearly no real property tax relief…
A Budget Spending Spree Like No Other
Texas is often thought of as a conservative state. Teachers, for instance, complain about inadequate spending on public education and low salaries. Democrat State Rep. James Talarico (Austin) has argued that the low salaries are βpushing teachers out of the…
Episode 16: As Session Begins to Wind Down, What Have They Been Up To?
Episode Description π° In this episode of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we discuss Texas House lawmakers and the confusing saga around whether they voted in favor of increasing their own pensions, at the further expense of Texas taxpayers. We also discuss the…