This week, the Texas Senate took a significant step toward ending the egregious practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying, passing Senate Bill 19 (SB 19) by a vote of 20-11. Filed by State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), this legislation represents a critical…

The failure of property tax relief efforts over the last six years is a perfect example of how local governments are using taxpayer money to lobby against the interests of Texans.  Most local governments have abandoned any semblance of fiscal…

For far too long, Texas taxpayers have been forced to foot the bill for lobbyists who often work against their own interests. Taxpayer-funded lobbying by local governments is an unethical practice that drains public funds and undermines the will of…

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…

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 shakeup in the world of the Texas House has continued over the last few weeks, as Speaker Phelan hires a new Chief of Staff, the Speaker’s race has now expanded to three challengers, and more.  New Staff  With Dade…

The Republican Party of Texas (RPT) has released the Legislative Priorities for the 2025-2026 cycle and the 89th Legislative session.  The RPT legislative priorities include the top eight tasks that the party expects republican members of the Texas Legislature to…

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…

Will Texas ban the practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying in the next legislative session? Taxpayer-funded lobbying, simply put, is the practice of local political subdivisions (school districts, cities, counties, etc.) hiring lobbyists in Austin to lobby lawmakers to increase the local…

Governor Greg Abbott has, on several recent occasions, opined that Texas possesses the “best business climate” and is “America’s premier economic destination.” While on the surface this seems true, the emphasis by the state and local governments over the last…

The 88th Texas Legislative Session has come and gone. State lawmakers were faced with a historic budget surplus (over-collected taxpayer dollars) and a historic opportunity to provide Texas taxpayers with much-needed tax relief and a promise for future prosperity. Instead,…

Episode Description 💰 In this episode of 𝗧𝗔𝗫𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦, 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…

Episode Description 💰 In our ninth episode of 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗, we discuss the legislative priorities that are making their way through the legislative process, including House Bill 5 which seeks to revive the largest corporate welfare program in the…

Episode Description 💰 In our seventh episode of 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗, we are joined by special guest Michael Quinn Sullivan, Publisher at Texas Scorecard and discuss the state budget proposal that is moving through the Texas legislative process as well…

Episode Description 💰 In this episode of 𝗧𝗔𝗫𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦, we discuss the dueling property tax relief proposals prioritized by leadership in both legislative chambers. We also cover other pro-taxpayer legislation making its way through the process, including the proposed ban…