Taxes & Spending
Fields: End forced annexation
City governments shouldn’t be able to trample on Texans’ private property rights through forced annexation.
June 30, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Is this the City of Austin’s governing philosophy?
On a broader level, this type of thinking from the city of Austin is emblematic of a much larger problem in Texas: liberty is frequently under threat, especially at the local level.
June 24, 2015
Economy
Does Dallas’ decision to repeal plastic bag fee confirm local governments overreached?
Yesterday, the Dallas Morning News reported that Dallas city councilmembers had voted overwhelmingly to repeal its controversial 5-cent fee on single-use plastic bags. The reason? According to the DMN: “Keeping the nickel fee wasn’t much of an option after the city attorney advised that it probably wouldn’t stand up in court.” [emphasis mine]
June 4, 2015
Economy
No progress reining in local overreach?
The Dallas Morning News’ recent article, Texas legislators mostly kept hands off local control, offers an interesting but incomplete assessment of the 84th Regular Session’s fight to rein in local overreach.
June 4, 2015
Economy
Texas governor signs bill to rein in local governments on fracking bans
In a speech given earlier this year to the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Governor Greg Abbott warned that: “Texas is being California-ized and you may not even be noticing it.”
May 19, 2015
Taxes & Spending
More than tax relief, Texans need tax reform
But the magnitude of Texas’ property tax problem has become so immense that not even these influential groups seem to be able to stop what’s coming.
May 15, 2015
Economy
Bag ordinance isn’t local control — it’s local government overreach
Whatever the outcome of the lawsuit, we should all agree that local governments ought to observe and abide by state law.
May 13, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Last-minute amendment could put brakes on tax hikes
Almost any way you cut it, it’s become clear that long-term structural reform is needed to protect Texans moving forward. Long-lasting changes, similar to what’s been proposed by the Texas Senate, are of the utmost importance.
May 12, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Some want school district debt to rise even further
According to the latest Bond Review Board data, total school district debt, including principal and interest, grew to more than $112.2 billion in fiscal year 2014—more than any other type of local government. Compared to the whole, school district debt accounts for about one-third of the total.
May 11, 2015
Economy
Group files lawsuit against the City of Dallas over controversial plastic bag restrictions
In August 2014, then-Attorney General Greg Abbott issued an advisory opinion finding that municipal ordinances restricting or prohibiting single-use plastic bags were likely in violation of existing state law. Ignoring the AG’s advice, the City of Dallas began implementing its 5-cent per plastic bag fee anyway in January 2015—and now the city could be in legal hot water.
May 1, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Texas Senate scores a big win for Texas taxpayers
In the course of debating Senate Bill 1760—a bill to increase transparency and accountability in the local property tax system—Senators overwhelmingly approved the adoption of a floor amendment to require local governments to reach a higher voting threshold before raising property taxes.
May 1, 2015
Economy
Local debt: How does Texas compare?
Among the top ten most populous states in the nation, local debt in the Lone Star State was the second highest overall, at $219.7 billion. Only California’s local governments had amassed more, at $269.2 billion.
April 28, 2015