Tim Hardin

NewsFederal

Stopgap Passage Results In Vacating McCarthy’s Speakership

In recent developments, the budgetary decisions and the political maneuvering in the U.S. Congress have taken an unforeseen turn, spotlighting the fiscal discourse that underpins our nation’s governance. The passage of the stopgap resolution, a temporary measure to prevent a…

News88th TXLege

Dan Patrick Demands Audit on Failed House Impeachment Attempt

After this exciting weekend, there is no doubt that you have heard that the Texas House Board of Managers’ attempt to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has failed. On Saturday Paxton was acquitted on all charges and able to…

NewsFederal

In Latest CPI Release, Inflation Rears Its Ugly Head Again

After months of significant declines in CPI inflation, today the CPI (Consumer Price Index) numbers for August showed a resurgence of inflation in the U.S. In August, the CPI rose by 0.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, marking a…

Commentary

The Gold-Backed BRICS Currency and the Danger to the Fiat Dollar

Introduction In the realm of global finance and economics, the potential introduction of a gold-backed currency by the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has gained attention as a potential challenge to the established fiat dollar system. This proposal…

Commentary

This Independence Day, Remember We Fought A War Over Taxes

Taxation has always been an integral part of a nation’s economic system, enabling governments to fund public services and fulfill their obligations. The Revolutionary War marked a turning point in American history, as colonists fought for independence from British rule….

Explainers

Explainer: What Is Tax Compression?

Introduction As the debate about the superior property tax relief package continues, many would imagine the most common question that TFR gets is whether we support tax compression or increasing the homestead exemption. Although that is a safe assumption, that…

News88th TXLege

Did Lawmakers Vote Themselves Pension Raises?

On Tuesday, the Texas House finally passed House Bill 438, legislation that Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR) claimed raised the pensions of lawmakers since those pensions are tied to district judge salaries. Many lawmakers, especially the legislation’s author, took issue…

News88th TXLege

Legislation to Prevent ‘Climate Justice’ Leftist Policies Gets a Hearing

Recently in the City of El Paso, a group of climate change activists called Sunrise El Paso wrote a “climate charter” calling for the city to “use all available resources and authority” to limit its use of fossil fuels. According to…

Commentary

Texas House Pushes to Revive Corporate Welfare Program Despite Bipartisan Opposition

In a year when taxpayers are barely hanging on and dealing with record-high inflation, rising energy costs, and historically high property taxes, the Legislature has opted to act decisively. They have wasted no time pushing for multinational, billion-dollar corporations to…

News

Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates: FOMC Meeting Analysis

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) met today to discuss the state of the U.S. economy and monetary policy. According to recent indicators, the U.S. economy is experiencing modest growth in spending and production, while job gains have picked up…

News88th TXLege

Appraisal Caps Overwhelmingly Rejected in HB 2 House Hearing

On Monday, the House Ways and Means Committee laid out House Bill 2, the House leadership’s property tax relief package. The legislation is authored by the chairman of the committee State Rep. Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas/Career Fiscal Index “F”). The legislation…

News88th TXLege

Despite Promised Relief, Property Taxes Jumped 12.2% in 2022

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR) recently published a new report revealing the abysmal numbers related to property tax levies released by the Texas comptroller’s office. The major takeaway? The Texas Legislature continues to trumpet their “historic tax reform” package from…

Commentary

Lawmakers Seek to Steal From Taxpayers for More Corporate Welfare

It’s no secret that leadership in the Texas Legislature has been heavily focusing on property tax relief packages in recent weeks. The Texas House and Senate have both filed their proposals, and both seek to provide minimal relief for homeowners….

Commentary

Are Lawmakers Going to Give Us ‘The Biggest Property Tax Cut in Texas History’?

If you have been paying attention to all of the noise surrounding property tax relief this session, you have probably heard the phrase, “We are going to give Texans the biggest property tax cut in history!” This was most recently…

News88th TXLege

State Rep. Harrison Files Landmark Property Tax Bills

“Texans can never own their homes and are being taxed out of them. Property taxes are unethical and should be eliminated.” Can you ask for a better quote from an elected lawmaker on property tax reform? This quote is how…