James Quintero is the policy director for the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Government for the People campaign. Since joining the Foundation in 2008, Quintero has focused extensively on: state & local government spending, taxes, debt, public pension reform, annexation, and local regulations.
It happens on the first Tuesday of every month. Bidders gather at the west entrance steps of the Smith County Courthouse, looking for bargains. At 10 a.m., the sales commence—properties are auctioned off to pay the taxes owed on them. Some are vacant lots and some are homes. All were seized from their owners over...
During the 87th Legislature’s regular session, state lawmakers considered multiple bills on extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) reform. While some of the more ambitious proposals—like House Bill 2573 and Senate Bill 1992—did not survive the process, one good piece of legislation—Senate Bill 1168—was indeed signed into law last month by the Gov. Greg Abbott. The bill represents...
Earlier this week, the Texas Freedom Caucus sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott asking that eight conservative priorities be added to the next special session’s agenda. Among the items urged was a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying, which is perhaps the single most important item mentioned. Here’s why. Local governments spend big to hire lobbyists...
Famed civil rights icon Booker T. Washington once observed that “…there is a certain class of race-problem solvers who don’t want the patient to get well, because as long as the disease holds out they have not only an easy means of making a living, but also an easy medium through which to make themselves...
Schools are supposed to be places of learning. But at least one district has made it more about wheeling and dealing. In Houston Chronicle, readers learned about Barbers Hills ISD, a small school district located about 30 miles east of Houston, and its zeal for Chapter 313 agreements, which has enabled administrators to offer massive...
This month, TPPF’s James Quintero testified before the House Committee on State Affairs in support of House Bill 1416, a bill to strengthen the Texas Public Information Act by clarifying in statute which days constitute a business day for the purposes of responding to a requestor. The bill is currently in the Calendars Committee. Below...
In April, TPPF’s James Quintero testified before the Senate Committee on Local Government in support of Senate Bill 1437, a bill to require cities and counties to undergo a third-party efficiency audit prior to holding an election to exceed the voter-approval tax rate. The bill is currently pending in committee. Below are his prepared remarks...
In April, TPPF’s James Quintero testified before the Senate Committee on Local Government in support of Senate Bill 1168, a bill to prohibit cities from imposing fees and fines in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of an area that has either dis-annexed or rejected an annexation attempt at the ballot box. The bill has been approved...
In April, TPPF’s James Quintero testified before the Senate Committee on Local Government in support of Senate Bill 1428, a bill to add the term “epidemic” as an additional exclusion to exceed the voter-approval tax rate when a disaster has been declared. The bill has been approved by the full Texas Senate and has not...
In April, TPPF’s James Quintero testified before the House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services in support of House Bill 664, a bill to require bond elections to be held on the November uniform election date. The bill is currently pending in committee. Below are his prepared remarks delivered orally to the committee. Mr....
In April, TPPF’s James Quintero testified before the Senate Committee on Local Government in support of Senate Bill 1992, a bill to allow residents and property owners in an extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) to use petition and election procedures to remove themselves from the area after one year if they have not been annexed. The bill...
Last month, TPPF’s James Quintero testified before the House Committee on County Affairs in support of House Bill 3775, a bill reform severance payments to government officials and independent contractors. The bill is currently with the Calendars Committee. Below are his prepared remarks delivered orally to the committee. Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee—...