DeVore: Texas’ top spot in…

March 10, 2014

The Honorable Chuck DeVore

Chuck DeVore is the vice president of national initiatives at the Foundation. He writes about the economy and how energy, tax and regulatory policies influence general prosperity, and he frequently appears on Fox News. He also guides the Foundation’s growing national work in criminal justice reform. He authored the book The Texas Model: Prosperity in the Lone Star State and Lessons for America.

DeVore: Texas' top spot in tech exports and top exporter overall provide clear examples that there is more to the Lone Star State's economy than oil and gas and, more importantly, that the Texas model is the best example for other states to follow.

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Cunningham v. City of Austin

Date Filed: March 23, 2026 Original Court: Travis County District Court Case Status: Pending Under Article XI, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution, home rule cities can impose taxes as long as those taxes are authorized by law or by their city charters. The Texas Tax Code requires that local taxes be approved by voters through...

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Border Security

Red states need to take action before it’s too late

Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez (D) recently said the quiet part out loud: If Democrats regain power, they intend to “melt ICE” and “dismantle the Department of Homeland Security.” Not reform. Not recalibrate. Dismantle. At this point, no one should be surprised, but everyone should be paying attention. The window for aligned federal action is limited, and states...

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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

The Honorable Chuck DeVore

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Cunningham v. City of Austin

Red states need to take action before it’s too late

Taxes are High. Local Spending is to Blame.