Texans of every ideological persuasion want legislators to rein in local governments’ ability to raise property taxes, according to the latest poll from the University of Texas and the Texas Tribune. According to the poll’s results, which are based on an “internet survey of 1,200 registered voters [that] was conducted from June 2 to June...
In poll after poll, voters across the Lone Star State all place a premium on finding a fix to Texas’ broken property tax system. Take the latest poll from the University of Texas and the Texas Tribune for example. In February, the two organizations surveyed 1,200 registered voters statewide and asked the following: Which of...
Testimony in support of SB 151 by James Quintero.
Municipal tree-cutting ordinances are more than a nuisance; they effectively seize the property impacted by the regulation. If a landowner wishes to remove a tree in order to construct an improvement—such as a backyard swing set—and cannot, that area has been taken by the government without any compensation.
Texans tired of municipal micromanagement enjoyed some good news last week. On Thursday, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that his office had “dismissed a lawsuit against Brownsville after the city formally repealed its illegal sales tax on plastic bags.” The city’s plastic bag ordinance has been at the center of a brewing controversy over the...
These data reinforce what everyone already knows — that Texas’ property tax system is broken and needs an overhaul lest more people lose their homes, businesses, and futures.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler reportedly doesn’t think that cities are contributing to Texas’ enormous property tax problem, according to the Texas Tribune’s Sanya Mansoor. Well, I beg to differ. Property taxes levied by city governments totaled $8.4 billion in in 2015, representing 16 percent of the total share ($52.2 billion). On a per capita basis,...
On Saturday, San Antonio will ask voters to approve a massive $850 million bond, split into 6 different propositions, including: Proposition 1: Streets, Bridges, & Sidewalk Improvements ($445.3 M) Proposition 2: Drainage & Flood Control Improvements ($139 M) Proposition 3: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Improvements ($187.3 M) Proposition 4: Library & Cultural Facilities Improvements...
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings has come under fire recently for his criticism of a controversial bill proposing to overhaul the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System (DPFPS) that’s been referred to as a “massive taxpayer bailout.” Looking at the latest analysis from the Legislative Budget Board, it’s easy to see how Mayor Rawlings might have...
The Killeen Daily Herald reports that city officials misused public funds even while complaining about “a serious revenue problem.” The revelations come to light as the result of an independent audit that found that: Bond funds were used for unauthorized purposes, such as operating expenses, including salaries; Consistent analysis and planning for capital projects was...
A new poll asked Austin-area residents to voice their views on the city’s short-term rental restrictions and, not surprisingly, most people opposed the heavy-handed regulations. The poll, published today and conducted by pollster Peter Zandan, surveyed “800-plus people” and found that 42 percent of respondents oppose Austin’s STR regulation while only 31 percent support the...
Former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm penned a fantastic letter last week addressed to every member of the Texas Legislature, encouraging lawmakers to finally bring an end forced annexation. Here’s an excerpt from the memo: “The Texas Legislature appears to be on the verge of ending forced annexation. I want to applaud you for your work...