Economy
How can Illinois fix its pension problems? Ask Wisconsin
Because pension reforms always will face a legal challenge, creative changes are needed.
June 11, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Regulations could top taxes as enemy of small business
The Competitive Enterprise Institute estimates that the Obama administration issued 81 major regulations per year for more than six years, more than one and a half per week, at a compliance cost exceeding the combined total of individual and corporate federal income taxes by $160 billion.
June 9, 2015
Higher Education
Hazlewood should focus on veterans, not legacies
Hazlewood’s costs will continue to soar. Cash-strapped college students will still be made to foot most of the bill.
June 9, 2015
Criminal Justice
Legal reforms provide backdoor to state’s economic prosperity
Much of that success has been fostered by reducing the number of restrictions on private enterprise. There’s even a moniker for the state’s particular combination of limited government policies -- the Texas Model.
June 8, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Texas Legislature improves the Texas model with conservative budget
Overall, the strides taken this session by legislators to pass pro-growth policies will contribute to improving the Texas model and contribute to more opportunities for homeowners, entrepreneurs and will help all Texans to prosper.
June 7, 2015
Energy & Environment
The EPA’s troubled waters
And yet, a week after the final rule was published, the only clarity the EPA has provided is its intent to snatch up every piece of land that can channel, pool, or absorb water and include it within its newly minted jurisdiction.
June 5, 2015
Economy
An imperfect but triumphant session for conservatives
After all, who could complain about a $3.8 billion tax cut?
June 5, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Legislature passes a 2016-17 Conservative Texas Budget
It’s a good day to be a Texan and to have the opportunity to prosper from a conservative budget and historic tax relief this session.
June 4, 2015
Economy
Does Dallas’ decision to repeal plastic bag fee confirm local governments overreached?
Yesterday, the Dallas Morning News reported that Dallas city councilmembers had voted overwhelmingly to repeal its controversial 5-cent fee on single-use plastic bags. The reason? According to the DMN: “Keeping the nickel fee wasn’t much of an option after the city attorney advised that it probably wouldn’t stand up in court.” [emphasis mine]
June 4, 2015
Economy
No progress reining in local overreach?
The Dallas Morning News’ recent article, Texas legislators mostly kept hands off local control, offers an interesting but incomplete assessment of the 84th Regular Session’s fight to rein in local overreach.
June 4, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Final $4 billion tax & fee relief package prevails
Governor Greg Abbott set the stage in his State of the State speech that he would veto any budget that didn’t include business tax cuts.
June 3, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Conservative budget preserves the state’s future posterity
To put this in perspective, imagine that you budget for the next two years so that you meet all your necessary expenditures with available income and save for a rainy day.
June 3, 2015