Taxes & Spending
SB 17: Texans Benefit from Eliminating Business Franchise Tax
Dr. Vance Ginn, Economist in the Center for Fiscal Policy, testified before the Senate Finance Committee in support of SB 17.
February 28, 2017
Taxes & Spending
21st Century School Finance System in Texas
Dr. Vance Ginn's testimony before the House Public Education Committee on School Finance on February 28, 2017.
February 28, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Texas Legislature Should Pass a 2018-19 Conservative Texas Budget
The Conservative Texas Budget (CTB) Coalition has defined a conservative budget to be one where biennial appropriations (General Appropriations Act and supplemental appropriations, when available) of state funds (excludes federal funds) and all funds—the footprint of government—increase by no more than population growth plus inflation. The 2018-19 CTB limits are $147.5 billion in state funds...
February 28, 2017
Economy
A Battle Of Energy-Producing Native Americans Vs. Report-Producing Federal Contractors
In Northern Arizona, the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) and a coal mine team to produce reliable, affordable electricity while providing 755 good-paying jobs, about 90 percent of whom are Native Americans. A federal report now threatens these jobs.
February 28, 2017
Higher Education
How To Reduce College Costs
The solution to administrative bloat in public universities is less a challenge to the intellect than to the political will and courage of university trustees, chancellors, presidents, and state legislators.
February 28, 2017
Economy
The Problem with Pension Reform
Defined benefit retirement systems in Houston and Dallas are collapsing under their own weight, putting retirees and taxpayers in harm’s way. And while pension reform proposals are right now taking shape (see here and here), there’s a big problem with the outlines of both plans: they leave these systems locked in state law. As I’ve...
February 27, 2017
Higher Education
No College For Old Administrators: Time For Donors/Alums To Defend The Freedom To Learn
Here, then, straight from the horse’s mouth, is the sorry state of American higher education today. Current administrators, we have learned, cannot to be counted on to right the ship.
February 25, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Arts programs show cities have enough fat to waste
These programs and projects are just a small sample of the big-time waste that exists in places like Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth and elsewhere. These real-life examples are living, breathing proof that city governments have plenty of fat in their budgets and little incentive to prioritize.
February 24, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Economic Freedom in Texas: High — but room for improvement
As legislators allocate taxpayer dollars, it’s essential for them to consider how best to strengthen economic freedom statewide to unleash the economic potential of all Texans.
February 24, 2017
Economy
Heavy title insurance regulation means consumers pay more
Texas has become the nation's economic engine in large part because we have allowed competition to bring lower prices and better products in markets such as telecommunications, electricity and oil and gas. Title insurance should be no different.
February 23, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Fragility of Texas’ State Debt and Public Pensions
Texas performs relatively well in measures of financial stability by ranking 16th nationwide in fiscal health and 2nd lowest in state debt per capita among the top 10 most populous states. These rankings along with historically high growth rates in economic output and population (see Chart 1) indicate that Texas has remained steadfast in having...
February 23, 2017
Taxes & Spending
State report confirms property tax in Texas monstrous
According to a recent report from the Texas comptroller, local government coffers have become swollen with new revenues over the past two decades, thanks to persistently high increases in the property tax.
February 22, 2017