Critics often claim Texas’ prosperity is based on abundant oil and natural gas production. Others suggest it’s a “miracle.” Evidence, however, proves the Texas model, based on conservative fiscal policies, that ranks second best in economic freedom according to the Fraser Institute supports sustained human flourishing. With less than 10 percent of the U.S. population, Texans have created 26 percent...
In the face of rising intolerance on our campuses, there is confusion in some quarters regarding not only how, but whether state lawmakers should act to protect the right to free speech at our public institutions of higher learning. Here in Texas, as one newspaper account recently stated it, “After months of media conflagration, hand-wringing and attempts to...
Mississippi lawmakers have impressed conservative policy leaders around the country with their commitment to smart justice policies. Smart justice means protecting public safety by using taxpayer dollars wisely to get the best outcomes from our criminal justice system. Mississippi has been leading the way since 2014 when Governor Phil Bryant championed the most comprehensive criminal...
The modern flashpoint of police and community tensions might have been Ferguson, and a cluster of high profile incidents within a year that fanned the flames. Now over three years removed from the incident, time has softened some of the high emotion of the issues, and conservatives have the opportunity to lead the way...
2018 Policy Orientation Panel: Renewables in the Lone Star State: Benefits, Risks, and the Texas model
Texas ranks the 2nd most economically free state, tied with Florida, in the U.S. according to the Fraser Institute. This ranking is based on levels of taxes, government spending, and labor market freedom. Figure 1 shows states that rank in each quartile of economic freedom. Figure 1: Economic Freedom Ranking by State Research finds...
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar certifies the two-year budget passed by the Texas Legislature after each legislative session. He does so by using projected general revenue-related (GR-R) funds, which includes collections from sales tax and other sources, to determine if those funds will sufficiently cover estimated expenditures. Here’s the Comptroller’s comments from the 2018-19 budget certification:...
Texans value every hard-earned dollar. They work hard to put food on the table, pay for college, save for retirement and satisfy their desires. Given some dollars pay taxes, every dollar collected by the government should go to essential programs that preserve liberty. It’s essential to evaluate every taxpayer dollar spent and pass a conservative budget...
Sick of sky-high property tax bills? So is Governor Abbott. Speaking at a news conference last month, the governor captured the frustration well: “Texans are fed up with property taxes being raised with impunity. They are tired of endless government spending while honest, hard-working people struggle just to keep up with paying their tax bills....
On Tuesday, Think Local Liberty’s Bryan Mathew appeared on FOX 7 to point out some of the many flaws with Austin’s paid sick leave ordinance, which is expected to be voted on tomorrow. “When we have a regulatory environment where many firms are able to enter and compete, you’ll see that they start to compete...
Texas is a leader in economic prosperity, but that gap may narrow soon. Missouri is enacting a slate of pro-business policies, including tort reform and considering deep cuts to its corporate tax rate. North Carolina’s low cost of doing business put it on top of Forbes’ list of best states for business in 2017....
Criminal justice reform is a prominent issue in the public square, capturing the interest of both ends of the ideological spectrum, as well as celebrities, think tanks and even the White House. Propelling this issue forward, both nationally and in the Lone Star State, is a recognition that change is needed. Especially when it...