Property Tax
Texas Property Taxes Rose in 2023 Despite Promises
The latest Biennial Property Tax Report from the Texas Comptroller confirms what many Texas homeowners and fiscal watchdogs, like TFR, already suspected: property taxes did, in fact, increase in 2023 by $650 Million despite promises of relief. While this news…
A Christmas Message from Texans for Fiscal Responsibility
Dear Friends and Fellow Texans, As the year draws to a close and the Christmas season is upon us, I want to take a moment to reflect on the blessings of the past year and share my heartfelt gratitude for…
Texas’ Economic Freedom: Threatened by Spending, Property Taxes, and Licensing
Texas shines as a top contender for economic freedom, ranking 5th in the United States in the latest 2024 Economic Freedom of North America (EFNA) report. Its lower-tax environment and flexible labor market have made the Lone Star State a…
Texas Spending is Out of Control
Texans know that economic freedom is the foundation of prosperity. Yet, despite Republican control of the Governor’s Office and Legislature since 2003, state and local government spending has grown far too much, burdening taxpayers and stifling even greater economic growth….
Texas: A Leader in Tax Competitiveness, But Room to Improve
Texas ranks 7th in the 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index, benefiting from its lack of an individual income tax and a competitive unemployment insurance tax system. However, high property taxes, a complex corporate tax system, and excessive government spending, all…
Real Options for Eliminating Property Taxes in Texas
Property taxes are a financial burden that Texans can no longer afford to endure. Over the past 26 years, Figure 1 illustrates how property taxes have increased by an unsustainable 330%, far outpacing population and inflation growth of 136%. Figure…
Texas Spending in the Current Biennium Likely to Top $400 Billion
The old truism is that there are two certainties in life, death and taxes. I’d like to modify that slightly to death and government spending. After all, government spending is why taxes exist. No spending, no taxes. But there is…
The Case Against Dade Phelan (or a Dade 2.0) as House Speaker
As the 89th legislative session quickly approaches following tremendous GOP gains in the 2024 election, Republicans in the Texas State House are divided over leadership. An impending vote this weekend for House Speaker looms like a dark cloud over the…
Sustainable Tax Relief: Why Surplus Triggers Are Better Than Revenue Triggers
States across the country are rethinking tax reform to stay competitive for residents and businesses. Many are exploring ways to phase out personal income, business franchise, and property taxes to attract workers, foster economic growth, and ensure property rights. But…
Bill Pre-Filing Has Begun for the 89th Legislative Session
Just one week after the 2024 election in which the Republican Party further expanded their majorities in both chambers of the Texas Legislature, pre-filing of bills for the 2025 legislative session has started. Thanks to the widespread victories of anti-establishment…
Tackling Texas’ Housing Affordability Crisis
Texas is at a critical point in addressing its housing affordability crisis. As the property tax burden on Texans is at historic highs, the State’s housing market faces serious challenges that drive up costs and limit access to affordable homes….
Texas Schools and Local Governments Want Even More Money
Election season is finally upon us, and while many are heavily focused on federal and state elections, one of the important issues that will appear on millions of Texan’s ballots are propositions with a direct impact on their pocket book. …
Press Release: TFR Poll Reveals Texans Believe Harris Will Raise Taxes; Support Fiscal Restraint
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN, TX – On Monday, October 21st, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility released a poll of Texas general election voters. Conducted by CWS Research, the poll shows Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris by 5. It also shows 53 percent of…
The Case for Prosperity: Less Government, More Growth in Texas
As Texas faces rising property taxes and record-high government spending, it’s time to reassess the path toward long-term prosperity. Recent data illustrates Texas’ strengths and challenges. In August 2024, Texas maintained a 4.1% unemployment rate, while the state’s GDP grew…
The High and Rising Burden of Property Taxes.
The following piece is taken from Dr. Vance Ginn’s Testimony to the Texas House Select Committee on Sustainable Property Tax Relief: Over the last decade, the Texas Legislature has made some progress in providing property tax relief, but the housing…