Other

Big city mayors wrong on relief

Most Texans recognize the need for immediate and lasting property tax relief. In fact, it’s so understood that high and fast-growing property taxes are a problem that lawmakers from both political parties are working to advance various tax relief bills in the statehouse. And yet despite the obvious need for reform, mayors from some of the largest cities in Texas gathered earlier this week to voice their opposition to statewide property tax relief efforts, proclaiming: “We know how to manage our budgets” and that “Texas cities are frugal…”

February 19, 2015

Economy

Both political parties agree: Texans need property tax relief

Speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s 13th annual Policy Orientation last month, Democratic Senator Kirk Watson and Republican Senator Paul Bettencourt showcased a handful of bills that would, each in their own way, provide Texans with some much-needed property tax relief. 

February 15, 2015

Other

Quintero: How long can Texas’ pension systems survive status quo?

There are many reasons for the poor condition of Texas’ public pension systems, but at the root of the problem is the fiscally unsustainable defined benefit system, which guarantees retirees a lifetime of monthly benefits irrespective of the health of the pension fund.

February 10, 2015

Economy

Local government debt headed in wrong direction

Since fiscal 2009, the total debt owed by cities, counties, school districts, and special districts has grown from $298.3 billion to $333.1 billion in fiscal 2014. That’s an increase of almost $35 billion over a relatively short period, pushing up the total amount owed by each Texan to near $12,500.

February 2, 2015

Taxes & Spending

Blind-sided by school bond proposals

The per student debt burden - a figure rarely paid any attention by those advocating for more public school spending-comes to more than $21,850 owed for each of the state's 5.1 million students. Of course, some school districts' owe even more than that.

February 2, 2015

Taxes & Spending

Texas’ state & local pension systems are in need of reform

The Pension Review Board’s (PRB) latest assessment of Texas’ state and local retirement systems depicts a worsening financial condition that could mean higher taxes and fees for future Texans.

January 27, 2015

Other

Red Ink Rising in the Lone Star State

Texas’ cities, counties, school districts, and special districts are awash in red ink, and newly obtained data from the Bond Review Board (BRB) shows that the problem is only growing in scope and severity. According to the BRB’s latest figures, local government debt outstanding (principal only) grew to $205.3 billion in fiscal year 2014, an increase...

December 15, 2014

Property Rights

ICYMI: CLG Talks Property Tax Reform in Forbes Magazine

Americans generally dislike paying taxes, and this sentiment is especially true when it comes to property taxes. According to a study produced by the American Enterprise Institute, of all taxes imposed on the general public, property taxes are the form for which citizens hold the highest degree of indignation. The public’s ill-will is not without merit, according...

November 14, 2014

Economy

Houston’s New Ridesharing Regulations Move the City in the Wrong Direction

Onerous new ridesharing regulations are set to go into effect tomorrow in the City of Houston that will make services like Uber and Lyft more expensive for the average consumer and create additional costs for local taxpayers. Among other things, the new rules will require drivers of transportation network companies (TNCs) to undergo additional background...

November 3, 2014

Property Rights

ICYMI: TPPF Releases Study on Denton Fracking Ban

Last month, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published a short study on the city of Denton’s proposed fracking ban that explores the ramifications a fracking ban would have on the economy, taxes, and property rights. With the issue close to being decided, it’s worth rehashing the crux of this analysis once more. From the study:...

November 3, 2014

Property Rights

Texas can lead the nation on property tax reform

No American ought to suffer the slings and arrows of a punishing property tax system to pay for our government. Not only is a break from the status quo possible, but it’s also potentially prosperous for all Texans in a big way.

October 31, 2014

Economy

New Labor Force Data Reveals Which Texas MSAs are Booming

Earlier today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released new labor force and unemployment data for major metropolitan areas around the U.S., and the figures offer a revealing look at which labor markets in Texas are booming. According to the BLS, the ten metropolitan areas in Texas with the lowest unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for September 2014 included: Midland (2.6%); Odessa (3.1%); Amarillo (3.6%); Lubbock (3.8%); College Station – Bryan (3.9%); San Angelo (3.9%); Abilene (4.0%); Victoria (4.0%); Austin – Round Rock – San Marcos (4.2%); and Longview (4.4%). The statewide average (not seasonally adjusted) for the same period was 5.0%. In terms of the sheer number of jobs added, the Houston – Sugar Land – Baytown experienced the second largest year-over-year employment increase nationally with 119,400 net new jobs added. This was second only to the New York – Northern New Jersey – Long Island area (+130,500), according to the BLS. The impressive new jobs data should offer jobseekers much encouragement about the state of the economy and the direction of the state overall.

October 29, 2014