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…

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…

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…

Overview Introduction ​Recently, the Texas Legislative Budget Board released the Fiscal Size-Up 2024-25 Biennium report with the latest estimated or budgeted amounts in the prior 2022-23 budget and the appropriated 2024-25 budget. The results from the 88th Texas Legislature’s efforts…

The State of Texas is pouring unprecedented amounts of taxpayer money into public education with little to show for it.  From the 2014-15 school year, to the 2022-23 school year, total education spending surged 53% to $92.4 billion, while per-student…

Texas families are facing an affordability crisis that is being exacerbated by property taxes: a never-ending tax that, fundamentally, serves as a form of perpetual rent to the government.  While the Legislature has taken steps recently to address the rising…

Executive Summary The only thing the Texas Legislature must do when they meet every two years is adopt a budget. Not surprisingly, with years of practice they have gotten pretty good at spending taxpayers’ money. For instance, the Legislature appropriated…

This commentary was originally published at VanceGinn.com here. It is being republished with permission from the author. Overview Despite increases in public education expenditures with taxpayer money in Texas, student performance is flat or declining. Texas is falling behind thriving states…

Introduction The Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB) publishes the “Fiscal Size-Up” report after every session to comprehensively review the state’s budget and fiscal actions for the biennium. The latest report, covering the 2024-25 budget period, offers crucial insights into how…

When the COVID-19 Pandemic emerged at the height of a booming economy, the American people went into a near-nationwide shutdown. With the population locked in their homes, unemployment expectedly spiked to unprecedented levels. As the pandemic and accompanying lockdowns receded…

This week, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility is in San Antonio for the Republican Party of Texas State Convention! We are here educating delegates on “Axe the Tax,” which would prioritize eliminating property taxes in the 2025 legislative session.  This plan…

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility will be attending the Republican Party of Texas Convention in San Antonio.  Next week, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR) will pack its bags and hit the road for San Antonio. The Republican Party of Texas (RPT)…

Texas on the Brink: A Call for Free-Market Revival Overview Texas stands at a crossroads. Renowned for its robust economy and job creation, the Lone Star State now confronts economic challenges that could define its future. Excessive government spending, burdensome…

Executive Summary The Problem: The Three-Step Solution Our proposal turns restrained government spending into a direct benefit to those with property in Wyoming and a benefit to those without property who rent or lease. Whether someone has property or rents…

Last Friday, the town of Mineral Wells, Texas, welcomed Governor Greg Abbott for a well-attended campaign rally in support of Mike Olcott, a candidate endorsed by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR).  During the event, Governor Abbott articulated his rationale behind…