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Taxes & Spending

What is it they say about a fool and his money?

School districts across the state are anticipating the passage of the property tax relief proposition by voters this November and are already poised to slowly erode any relief that taxpayers may receive. Outside of the monuments to future generations debt that are some high school district sports complexes, or the absurd salaries and benefits awarded...

September 25, 2023
Homelessness

Homeless Encampments are Threatening Public Safety

Austin’s policy failures on homelessness are bordering on criminal negligence. Heading into the downtown area, tents are visible under overpasses. A bit further from immediate view is evidence of more densely populated camps. A recent video from Save Austin Now shows just one of these encampments on the West Bouldin Creek trail. As those recording...

September 8, 2023
Homelessness

Reevaluating Austin’s Homelessness Strategy

Inside the Austin’s city-run Northbridge homelessness shelter were scenes of squalor—and death. At the urging of Austin City Council member Mackenzie Kelly, the Austin American-Statesman reviewed photos provided by a whistleblower. Those photos showed “housing units strewn with drugs and drug paraphernalia throughout trashed rooms, a gun and employees asleep on the job.” Kelly wants...

September 6, 2023
K-12 Education

Local government glut calls for a property tax diet

La Joya ISD Superintendent Gisela Saenz resigned her position in the spring, after she supported a plan that would close two elementary schools and lay off 120 employees—this after LJISD used more than $20 million in public funds to buy an entire water park, including tube slides and a lazy river. The troubled school district—which...

August 2, 2023
Local Government

New Minimum Lot Size is No Small Victory

“We knew it was coming,” Francisco Nuñez says. Housing is in such high demand in Austin right now that Nunez wonders if he can afford to stay in the city. In 2020, Austin gained an average of 180 new residents a day, causing a shortage of homes and driving up home prices dramatically. This demand,...

August 2, 2023
Taxes & Spending

Let my people know: Curbing local government spending through transparency

My grandfather was always a frugal man. He went to college on the G.I. Bill, he never owned a large house and he never drove a luxury car. By living under his means and investing wisely, he was able to build impressive wealth. As the years went on, he decided to move closer to his...

June 29, 2023
Local Government

It’s Time for Texas to Lead on Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

Texas experienced tremendous population growth in 2022, becoming “the only state other than California with a resident population above 30 million.” One key reason for Texas’ booming population is the state’s reputation for low taxes and limited government. People want small government and they’re willing to vote with their feet to prove it. And yet,...

February 8, 2023
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