Taxes & Spending
City of Austin Spends BIG on Lobbyists
So not only is the city spending big, but it’s also spending badly. And that shouldn’t sit well with anyone in Austin.
October 25, 2016
Taxes & Spending
The need for local control and local reform of state retirement systems (figure 2)
The restoration of local control can allow for fiscally healthy retirement plans for hard-working Texans.
October 25, 2016
Economy
Harvard’s Not So “Bright Idea” About Plastic Bag Fees
The Texas Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the city of Brownsville yesterday contending that its $1 environmental fee on plastic bags and other non-reusable types stands in violation of existing state law—an argument advanced by many, including then-Attorney General Greg Abbott, 20 current members of the Texas Legislature, the Fourth Court of Appeals, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
October 13, 2016
Taxes & Spending
Improving Debt Transparency in Bond Elections
James Quintero presented before the House Committee on Elections on Interim Charge #3 regarding "Improving Debt Transparency in Bond Elections".
September 22, 2016
Taxes & Spending
The need for local control and local reform of state retirement systems (figure 1)
How can policymakers rectify Texas’ multibillion dollar public pension problem while keeping the promise to care for the Lone Star State’s public servants? Look to local control.
September 22, 2016
Taxes & Spending
More Taxes & Spending in New Austin Budget
If you live in Austin, then get ready for more government spending and higher taxes.
September 19, 2016
Taxes & Spending
Improving Debt Transparency in Bond Elections
Policymakers should be concerned about the size and growth of local government debt in Texas – a contributing factor is that voters do not have enough information provided to them at the ballot box to make an informed decision about new debt issuances. Voters should be provided with basic fiscal facts at the ballot box to better understand how their decisions will affect their community.
August 31, 2016
Taxes & Spending
Now Hiring in Austin: Social Justice Warrior
Perhaps once the city has hired its Chief Equity Officer it can get started on finding a Chief Efficiency Officer to close bogus programs, eliminate waste, and budget smartly using zero-based budgeting.
August 26, 2016
Taxes & Spending
Supermajority Vote Requirement Protects DISD Taxpayers
Property taxes in Texas are some of the nation’s most punishing and that burden continues to grow quickly (see pg. 5). Because of the size and growth of Texas’ property tax problem, state lawmakers passed a series of reforms during the last legislative session to help ease the swell of local tax bills. One of...
August 25, 2016
Economy
Fourth Court of appeals rules against Laredo’s plastic bag ban
In an opinion issued today, the Court found in favor of the Laredo Merchant Association, a group challenging the city of Laredo’s plastic bag ban on the grounds that it is preempted by existing state law—a position supported by the Foundation, then-Attorney General Greg Abbott, and 20 current state lawmakers.
August 17, 2016
Taxes & Spending
A look back on Austin’s past transportation bonds
Interestingly but not surprisingly, there’s a lot of potential funding for transportation projects not involving roadways. Both the corridor and local mobility components advance an “all of the above” approach which, arguably, encompass a wide range of projects that, arguably, have done very little to meaningfully ease congestion in the past.
August 15, 2016
Taxes & Spending
Watchdog: Shrinking SAISD wants $450 M in new debt
It’s hard to see how, given these facts and circumstances, the SAISD Board can justify sending voters a massive $450 million bond package in November and expect a positive result.
August 10, 2016