Show Me the Money
What to Know: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security just approved a $7.5 billion reimbursement to the State of Texas for border security costs, like “educating illegal aliens in government schools, incarcerating them in our jails and prisons, and covering emergency healthcare and birth tourism.” Experts expect these monies to be available next session to help fund key priorities, like big and long-lasting property tax relief.
The TPPF Take: Texans are over-taxed. But relief should come soon.
“The Biden administration’s long-running failure at the border cost Texans untold treasure. Thanks to the Trump administration, Texans are in line to get reimbursed for some portion of that enormous cost, which positions the next Legislature well to provide massive tax relief in 2027,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “It’s time for Texans to get their money back.”
For more on Property Taxes, click here.
Cut Their Power
What to Know: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is calling on the ERCOT Board to undo the raises they gave their board.
The TPPF Take: Good. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stood up for every fed-up Texan.
“The ERCOT Board is busy backtracking on these lavish salary enhancements as Lt. Governor Patrick proclaimed that he had lost total confidence in them to look out for Texas ratepayers,” says TPPF’s Sherry Sylvester. “With Texas ratepayers paying 32% more for electricity since 2020, us too. Watch this space for what comes next.”
For more on Energy, click here.
Data Delay
What to Know: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expanded his continued calls for transparency on new data centers.
The TPPF take: Data Center growth must not come at the expense of Texas residential ratepayers, grid reliability, or the water rights of Texas landowners and communities.
“TPPF has long championed policies ensuring that the ERCOT grid remains reliable and affordable for all Texans, and that the rights of property and resource owners are protected,” says TPPF’s Greg Sindelar. “Economic growth in Texas must strengthen our grid and respect the rights of Texans, not burden them.”