Bill Analysis: SB 15

March 11, 2025

John Bonura

John Bonura is a Policy Analyst with Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Prior to joining TPPF John served in the University system as a Graduate Assistant until he was given the opportunity to teach Principles of American Government. John holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from Texas State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Sam Houston State University.

As a proud Eagle Scout John is an avid camper and enjoys spending time in the outdoors as well as at home with his wife.

Housing affordability is an issue top of mind for 9 out of 10 Texans (Adams et al., 2024). Median priced, newly constructed homes are out of reach for 74% of Texas families (Zhao, 2024, p. 8). Local regulations, like restrictions on minimum lot size, account for 20.4% of Texas home prices (King, 2018, para. 8). Senate Bill (SB) 15 seeks to mitigate the soaring cost of housing by prohibiting municipalities from preventing the development of small lots on which starter homes can be built. Eliminating this aspect of municipal government interference promises to help increase the supply of housing and permit market forces to better cater to prospective homebuyers.

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Bill Analysis: SB 9

Despite having passed tax relief at the state level during the 89th Legislative Session (SB 4, 2025), Texans are still burdened with some of the highest property taxes in the nation. This is largely due to relief being eroded at the local level. Local government taxes and spending need to be scrutinized by voters more...

August 8, 2025

Taxes & Spending

Taxes are High. Local Spending is to Blame.

Over the last few months, local property taxes have been described as: “steep,” “burdensome,” “stressful,” “too high,” and “out-of-control.” Yet despite these sharp (and accurate!) criticisms of Texas’ property tax, many local governments seem oblivious to the system’s excesses, as evidenced by the adoption of high tax rates this year (see TPPF’s Taxman Cometh series) as well as historical tax, spending, and debt patterns. Worse, what once may have been excused as indifference or detachment now borders on exploitation. Consider some recent revelations about local government compensation. ...

March 26, 2026

Taxes & Spending

Testimony to the Senate Committee on Local Government: Senate Bill 9

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, My name is James Quintero, and I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a free-market institute headquartered in Austin, Texas. Thank you for the opportunity to address the committee this morning on the merits of Senate Bill (SB) 9, which proposes to reduce the voter-approval tax rate (VATR)...

August 6, 2025

John Bonura

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Bill Analysis: SB 9

Taxes are High. Local Spending is to Blame.

Testimony to the Senate Committee on Local Government: Senate Bill 9