Taxes & Spending
Testimony: Ten Facts About Texas’ Property Tax
"Testimony: Ten Facts About Texas’ Property Tax" contains James Quintero's testimony regarding property taxes.
April 9, 2015
Other
A few facts about Texas’ broken property tax system
In light of today’s hearing in Senate Finance on Senate Bill 182, a measure to bring long-term structural reform to Texas’ property tax system.
April 9, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Educate voters at the ballot box on debt propositions
Voters aren’t provided with enough information at the ballot box to make an informed decision on debt, and it’s helping to create a tidal wave of red ink.
April 7, 2015
Taxes & Spending
The right & the left agree—shine a light on economic development deals
While finding common ground between the Left and Right is becoming more and more difficult to do in today’s hyper-politicized environment, it’s heartening to see that there are still some areas that we, as Texans, can all agree—like the need for transparency and accountability in government, especially as it relates to economic development deals.
March 20, 2015
Other
Bills to preempt fracking bans moving in Austin
Ultimately, it’s in Texans’ best interests if state and local policymakers look to liberty, not local control, as their guiding principle.
March 19, 2015
Other
Local pension control effort picks up steam
While the Senate’s version of local pension control takes a slightly different tack than the House version, HB 2608, both measures promise to break down bureaucratic barriers to local control and, in many instances, give community stakeholders a seat at the table.
March 17, 2015
Other
Grimes: restore local control of municipal pensions
This issue and the need to restore community oversight was explored more in-depth today in a Houston Chronicle article by TPPF Board Member Windi Grimes. The piece calls on lawmakers to “restore local control of these state-governed pension plans with sweetheart deals.”
March 13, 2015
Other
Bill filed to restore local control of municipal retirement systems
Should some favored local retirement systems be immune to local control? Some lawmakers don’t think so and a bill was filed yesterday to remedy this situation.
March 10, 2015
Economy
Does the M-10 support local control of local retirement systems
For as outspoken as the M-10’s been on the importance of self-governance, it’s been oddly quiet on a major public policy issue in its own backyard where local control has been willingly ceded to Austin lawmakers—state-governed local pension plans.
March 9, 2015
Economy
Houston pension reform: good deal, bad deal, or what’s the deal?
Requiring community stakeholders to go through the legislative process—which happens only every other year and for 140 days at that—to make changes to their local retirement systems is an enormous roadblock for even the most motivated parties. Not only does it mean having patience and perseverance but also the right political connections.
March 6, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Property tax, financial transparency, and local debt
This testimony covers remarks today from James Quintero, that focus on three policy areas—property taxes, financial transparency, and local debt. He also offers some suggestions as to how each area might be improved via special purpose district reform.
February 25, 2015
Economy
Texas doesn’t need California’s local control
More and more municipalities are passing nanny state restrictions and regulations that infringe upon Texans’ personal freedoms, property rights, and livelihood.
February 21, 2015