Economy
A solution to our public pension problem
Moody’s pegged state and local governments’ unfunded liabilities at roughly the same amount, bringing the total U.S. pension shortfall to 40% of GDP.
May 2, 2016
Taxes & Spending
SAISD pay hike a bad idea
The district’s decision to arbitrarily raise its minimum hourly wage from $10 to $12 — a 20 percent pay raise not based on merit — comes at a difficult time for SAISD, which is not only struggling with soaring debt but is also seeing its student population slowly disappear.
April 27, 2016
Taxes & Spending
How to reduce your property tax liability
Last November, voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment passed by the Texas Legislature that increased the homestead exemption for property taxes supporting school districts by $10,000 to $25,000. This helps to provide welcome tax relief in a state that has the 14th most burdensome property tax system in the nation.
April 25, 2016
Taxes & Spending
Midlanders, Texans face mounting state, local debt
This rising red ink must be stopped before stressing families and wrecking the economy with higher taxes, especially at a time of potential bond credit downgrades and an uncertain economic future.
April 17, 2016
Economy
ICYMI: Amicus Brief filed in local liberty case
Regardless of the court’s decision, one thing is clear: cities are subject to the rule of law, and must be held accountable.
April 4, 2016
Property Rights
Involuntary annexation wrong for Texas
Texans are routinely given no say on the kind of government that presides over them, the level of taxes they pay and the debts they owe, or who represents their interests at city hall.
March 31, 2016
Taxes & Spending
Lack of local control to blame for pension woes?
Today, Texas’ 13 state-governed systems have unfunded pension liabilities totaling $8.7 billion, or an average of $171,155 owed per active member.
March 14, 2016
Taxes & Spending
Feel-good wage policy counterproductive
Research shows that a minimum wage most hurts those it’s intended to help, particularly the young, low-skilled and less-educated, as they have fewer job opportunities.
March 13, 2016
Taxes & Spending
The Texas borrowing binge: What’s another $30 billion in local debt?
Among the top ten most populous states in the nation, the principal amount owed by Texas is $225 billion and is the 2nd largest total next to only California who is $268 billion in the hole.
February 26, 2016
Taxes & Spending
State-governed pension plans showing signs of weakness
As the Foundation and many others have argued in the past, putting Austin between Texans and the pension plans that serve them is poor public policy, and an entirely new approach is needed.
February 25, 2016
Taxes & Spending
“Living wage” proposal wrong for SAISD
Moving forward with a living wage proposal will only end up worsening the district’s fiscal position and possibly force more students to leave the district. SAISD would be better off scrutinizing its budget for efficiencies that can be redirected to merit-based raises for deserving employees thereby helping employees, taxpayers, and students.
February 24, 2016
Taxes & Spending
Texas’ $60 billion+ pension problem
The key to returning Texas’ state and local retirement systems to sound footing is the elimination of defined benefit plans for new employees and transitioning the state’s workforce into a defined contribution-type system. By changing how Texas offers public pensions, we can achieve a system that is sustainable system for all.
February 24, 2016