A Review of the 84th Texas Legislature, TPPF

October 29, 2015

The Texas Legislature achieved a great deal in 2015 thanks to the hard work of the many officeholders, activists, civil-society groups, and Texans who animated its work and provided its direction. Though there remains much to be done in securing a Texas that is strong and free, the 84th Texas Legislature did its part to make progress toward that end.

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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...

March 23, 2026

Election Integrity

Consolidating Elections to Increase Turnout and Save Taxpayer Dollars

Uniform election dates produce four main benefits: 1) higher voter turnout, 2) election administration cost savings, 3) decreased likelihood of special interests dominating a low-turnout election, and 4) reduced election worker burnout. Key points: Seven states require municipal elections to be consolidated with even-year federal election dates. This increases turnout and saves $29.5-129 million for...

March 20, 2026

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

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Cunningham v. City of Austin

Consolidating Elections to Increase Turnout and Save Taxpayer Dollars

Taxes are High. Local Spending is to Blame.