It’s terrific that at this stage of the budget process state officials are discussing how much to return to taxpayers where it belongs relative to how much more they can spend.
The Honorable Talmadge Heflin testified before the State Finance Committee in support of Senate Joint Resolution 2 and Senate Bill 9.
Comptroller Hegar identified nine antiquated state taxes that should be repealed this session reducing the tax burden without substantially affecting state revenue. But the roughly $16.6 million in total tax savings, according to the 2016-17 Biennial Revenue Estimate, benefits Texans by leaving more money in their pockets.
The Honorable Talmadge Heflin testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on SB 1.
On Tuesday, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Senate leaders unveiled a $4.6 billion package for sweeping tax relief. The package consists of three bills: SB 1 and SB 7, filed by Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, and SB 8, filed by Senator Schwertner. This package advances the showdown among state officials to see who...
By effectively limiting spending, we applaud the Senate for including $4 billion in tax cuts in their proposal. More money in the pockets of Texans is the best path to fueling job creation.
In Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s first State of the State speech, he came out swinging with key budget recommendations for spending limit reform and tax relief that would help restrain the footprint of government.
"Testimony: Strengthening the Texas Model" includes Center for Fiscal Policy Director The Honorable Talmadge Heflin's submitted testimony before the House Ways & Means Committee on the Foundation's fiscal policy priorities.
This commentary originally appeared in Dallas Morning News on January 12, 2015. To sustain the Texas model’s economic success, the 84th Texas Legislature should slow the growth of the state’s budget and eliminate the costly business margin tax. Since 2004, Texas’ total budget has increased by 64 percent to $204 billion for the current two-year fiscal period....
A study led by the prominent economist Arthur Laffer recommends raising the total sales tax rate, which includes the state and local portions totaling 8.25 percent, to 11 percent. This plan would also broaden the tax base by taxing property and all goods and services taxed in at least one other state.
There they go again. In what has become a familiar refrain, proponents of making big government even bigger are claiming that past increases in Texas state spending aren’t really as bad as they seem if you make an adjustment here and there. In this case, we are told that “Texas’ practice” for the last decade...
Press Conference: Conservative Texas Budget Coalition Releases The Conservative Texas Budget Report