Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud
What to know: When the Texas Legislature cuts property taxes, many local governments seize upon that relief as an excuse to raise their own taxes. Case-in-point: Judson ISD, where a 5-term trustee openly admitted that “now’s the ideal time for a tax rate election because most homeowners will likely still pay less each year under a new state law that would increase the homestead exemption.”
The TPPF take: Local governments are stealing tax relief from Texas taxpayers.
“Since 2019, the Texas Legislature has committed substantial resources toward reducing property tax bills, but lawmakers’ efforts have largely been frustrated by local decisions to raise rates, hold tax rate elections, propose large bond issuances, and overuse certificates of obligation (COs). These local decisions have denied Texas taxpayers any meaningful relief,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “It’s a troubling development that local officials feel so comfortable with the scam that they’re openly admitting to it.”
For more on raising taxes, click here.
Mail-In Ballots
What to know: President Donald Trump is taking aim at mail-in ballots.
The TPPF take: Mail-in ballots have eroded the integrity of our elections for decades – and it’s easy to see how.
“Texas has improved its mail-in ballot requirements in recent years by not only limiting who is legally allowed to vote by mail but also increasing the identification information of the voter on the ballot,” says TPPF’s Brian Phillips. “There’s less of a chance for fraud, but it’s still not mistake-proof. Voting is a fundamental right and key pillar of our democracy. It should be treated with tremendous respect and care and not weakened to invite fraud and error.”
For more on mail-in ballots, click here.
Fighting Crime
What to know: Politico notes that President Trump is “leaning in” on crime—and Democrats need a better response than simply denying reality.
The TPPF take: America’s crime drop isn’t a coincidence. Trump’s immigration policies are working.
“President Donald Trump is simply enforcing immigration laws already on the books — proof that we don’t need more laws; we just need leaders with the backbone to enforce the laws we have,” says Brett Tolman, who leads TPPF’s Right on Crime project. “The results are undeniable: communities nationwide are seeing tangible improvements in public safety.”
For more on crime, click here.