K-12 Education

Spending More Won’t Solve School Finance or Property Tax Flaws in Texas

The 85th Texas Legislature rightfully discussed reforms to fundamentally flawed government problems of school finance and property taxes during the 2017 regular session. Texans demand action in these areas because they have long been saddled with poor education outcomes and an overly burdensome property tax system, which ranks 14th highest nationwide. While legislators weren’t able...

July 11, 2017

Property Rights

New Poll: Texans Overwhelmingly Support Property Tax Reform

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...

June 20, 2017

Taxes & Spending

What Do Texans Want Most from the Legislature?

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...

May 24, 2017

Economy

SB 151: Testimony Before the House Committee on Pensions

Testimony in support of SB 151 by James Quintero. 

May 16, 2017

Property Rights

Local Overregulation: Tree-Cutting Ordinances

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.

May 16, 2017

Economy

ICYMI: Brownsville Axes its Bag Fee

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General Ken Paxton announced that his office had “dismissed a lawsuit against Brownsville after the city formally repealed its illegal sales tax on plastic bags.”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...

May 16, 2017

Taxes & Spending

Give voters more control of property taxes

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.

May 14, 2017

Taxes & Spending

Yes, Cities are Part of the Property Tax Problem

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,...

May 10, 2017

Taxes & Spending

Going for Broke: San Antonio Asks Voters to Approve Massive New Debts

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...

May 5, 2017

Taxes & Spending

Are Dallas Taxpayers About to Bail-Out the DPFPS?

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...

May 4, 2017

Taxes & Spending

Killeen Officials Decry “Revenue Problems,” Audit Finds Differently

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...

May 4, 2017

Property Rights

New Poll: Majority of Austinites Oppose Homesharing Regulations

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...

April 20, 2017