Health Care
Our National Problems Require An Entrepreneurial Approach, Not A Bureaucratic One
Bureaucrats do what they think they can. Entrepreneurs and doctors do whatever it takes!
February 6, 2017
Taxes & Spending
The STaR Fund: A Budget-Cutting Tool for Texas
Texas House rules allow legislators to appropriate money cut from one program to another more preferred agency. This provides little opportunity for legislators to actually cut ineffective or excessive areas of the budget, leaving many legislators understandably frustrated with the budget process. For example, if legislators cut $1 million from the Arts Commission’s budget, it...
February 6, 2017
K-12 Education
School choice would benefit Texas and RGV
Too many children in low-income families, many of whom are minorities, are stuck in failing public schools in underfunded school districts and are forced into subpar classrooms.
February 5, 2017
Criminal Justice
My Turn: Alaska’s criminal justice reform efforts should be celebrated
Conservative state leaders across the country have shown repeatedly that smart, forward-thinking criminal justice changes can avoid huge bills for taxpayers. Further, these reforms do not mean that crime rates will rise.
February 4, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Texas’ 2018-19 Budget Items that Exceed Conservative Texas Budget Growth Limit
The Conservative Texas Budget (CTB) is 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 and $218.5 billion in all funds. ...
February 3, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Texas Legislature Should Pass Tax Relief, Spending Limit Reform, and Budget Transparency
The Conservative Texas Budget Coalition’s key fiscal priorities for the 2017 Texas Legislature would support more economic prosperity for all Texans. The Foundation applauds much of what Governor Abbott said in his State of the State speech and included in his budget proposal to make these priorities a reality by advancing the case for the...
February 3, 2017
Economy
Texas Needs the Best Price
Due to price-fixing by the state, title insurance in Texas costs $2,663 for a $300,000 home, the fifth highest cost in the nation; $703 above the median price of states with lower prices. 84% of the cost goes for expenses and profit.
February 2, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Texas Legislature Should Sustain a 2016-17 Conservative Texas Budget
The Conservative Texas Budget (CTB) is 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 2016-17 CTB limits are $142.3 billion in state funds and $215.2 billion in all funds. This...
February 2, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Austin Water Pays $1,200 Per Click for Online Ads
Have you heard about the Austin Water Utility spending $1,200 per click for online ads? Two weeks ago, the Austin American-Statesman reported that a city employee “approved online advertisements to Austin Water customers with a marketing company totaling $67,000 between 2013 and 2016. That netted redirects from the company’s website only 55 times—at a cost-per-click...
February 2, 2017
Economy
Gov. Abbott Calls for Local Pension Reform
Over the years, a number of different local retirement systems have lobbied the legislature to put some or all of their pension plans in state law. By locking in certain elements of their plan in statute, these systems have all but locked-out community stakeholders, at least those without the right political connection in Austin. But...
February 1, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Gov. Abbott Calls for Local Debt Transparency
Gov. Abbott Calls for Local Debt Transparency Local government debt continues to soar. According to the Bond Review Board’s latest estimates, cities, counties, school districts, and special districts owe a cumulative $342 billion, or roughly $12,450 for every man, woman, and child in the Lone Star State. One of the major drivers of the...
February 1, 2017
Taxes & Spending
How Many Local Govts. Levy a Property Tax?
If local governments want to tax excessively, then the onus should be on them to ask the public for permission.
January 31, 2017