TFR Staff
Episode 13: Kyle Biedermann & Texas House Appropriations Committee
Episode Description π° In this episode of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we highlight some of the more interesting points to come out of our recent interview with Texas Republican State Representative Kyle Biedermann, as well as the recent Texas House Appropriations Committee…
No… We Don’t Need More Corporate Welfare in Texas
It never seems to amaze me how often “conservative” politicians are willing to give your money over to corrupt corporations in the form of corporate welfare. Recently, disgraced former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dennis Bonnen (then-state representative…
Episode 12: BONUS EPISODE: Texas State Representative Jeff Cason
Episode Description π° In this bonus episode of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we talk with outgoing Republican Texas State Representative Jeff Cason about fiscal issues facing Texas including the property tax and the appetite in the Texas Legislature to address them, his…
Episode 11: Jeff Cason, Quid Pro Joe and a Political Culture of Spending
Episode Description π° In this episode of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we highlight some of the more interesting points to come out of our recent interview with Texas Republican State Representative Jeff Cason, the recent “Quid pro-Joe” scandal regarding Saudi Arabian oil,…
Explainer: What Is Keynesian Economics?
Oftentimes when operating in the world of fiscal policy, economists use certain terms and phrases and simply gloss over them, not realizing that everyday taxpayers may not understand. A number of these come up from time to time, and I…
Biden Caught in Another ‘Quid Pro Joe’
Where is the outrage for the many obviously corrupt business and political dealings of Joe Biden? In the last week, the government of Saudi Arabia made public that U.S. President Joe Biden was engaged in yet another quid pro quoβor,…
Episode 10: BONUS EPISODE: Bill Peacock, Host of The Liberty Cafe Podcast
Episode Description π° In this bonus episode of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we talk with Bill Peacock, host of The Liberty Cafe Podcast and curator of ExcellentThought.net about fiscal issues facing Texas including what changes, if any could benefit the state budgeting…
Episode 9: Bill Peacock, Local Government Property Tax Loophole & Election
Episode Description π° In this episode of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we highlight some of the more interesting points to come out of our recent interview with Bill Peacock, we discuss a loophole local governments are exploiting related to setting property tax…
Inflation Increase Is More Than Expected
Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for the month of September was released Thursday morning, and with it came more bad news with regard to our economic outlook. Inflation (year over year) came in at 8.2%. Though this is down from…
Cities Using Loophole to Raise Taxes Without Approval Elections
Many taxpayers have reached out to us regarding cities and other local political subdivisions raising taxes beyond their voter approval thresholds without triggering an election. Many have wondered how this is possible after the supposed “historic property tax reform” of…
Episode 8: Texas Gubernatorial Debate & Property Taxes
Episode Description π° In this episode of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we discuss the recent and only Texas Gubernatorial Debate and more specifically the candidate’s thoughts on property tax in Texas, as well as a Texas House Appropriations Subcommittee which was apparently…
In Debate, Abbott Says He Will Eliminate School Property Taxes
Last Friday, Texas taxpayers had a chance to watch the one and only debate between former U.S. Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D) and incumbent Governor Greg Abbott (R) before the November general election. The two addressed several issues important to Texans,…
Episode 7: Political Activism, Deceptive Cities, and Chapter 313 Tax Abatements
Episode Description π° In this episode of π§ππ«π£ππ¬ππ₯ π§ππππ¦, we discuss political activism in fiscal policy, deceptive cities raising taxes, and chapter 313 tax abatements. Articles Referenced The Importance of Political Activism in Fiscal Policy (9.26.2022) Fort Worth Slaps…
Explainer: What Are 313 Tax Abatements?
A topic that has become more popular recently due to Speaker Dade Phelan’s support for their renewal is Chapter 313 tax abatements. However, when interacting with taxpayers, I have noticed that most people have no clue about the controversial program….
Fort Worth Slaps Taxpayers in the Face, Raises Taxes
It happened again: yet another deceptive tax increase by a major city. Last night, Fort Worth officially adopted its new tax rate of 71.25. This comes despite opposition from the public and two city council members dissenting to the tax…