Commentary

Commentary

A Closer Look at Some of the Taxpayer Victories from the 89th Legislative Session

The 89th Texas Legislative Session, which adjourned on June 2, 2025, left much to be desired for Texas taxpayers. Despite our relentless advocacy for limited government, reduced spending, and the elimination of oppressive taxes, the session saw persistent government growth…

Commentary

Ginn Economic Brief: The Texas Budget Blowout Threatens the Texas Model

Despite strong fundamentals, Texas risks undermining its own success story. With the world’s 8th largest economy at $2.7 trillion, an expanding labor force, and a record-breaking 2.5 million jobs added since 2015, Texas continues to lead the nation in growth….

Commentary

Hollywood Comes to Texas—on the Taxpayer’s Dime

Taxpayer Dollars for the Austin Swamp, Part Two Texas lawmakers have decided that the best way to promote jobs and culture is by handing Hollywood a $1.5 billion check. On May 29, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 22, which…

Commentary

Taxpayer Dollars for the Austin Swamp, Part One: Student Loan Repayment for Health Care Professionals

It is a difficult time to be a taxpayer in Texas. One example: appropriations of state funds during the recently concluded regular session were up 55% over appropriations in 2021, an $89 billion increase in just four years, while the…

Commentary

Texas Legislature Wraps 89th Session Amid Soaring Spending Growth, School Choice Rollout, and Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Debate

Overview The 89th Texas Legislature adjourned last week after approving a record-breaking $338 billion two-year budget, funded in part by a $24 billion surplus. While lawmakers advanced several high-profile measures, including a new school choice program and energy safety regulations, critics noted…

NewsLocal

San Antonians Pay Their Bills; So Should Their Utility Companies

For a company that touts itself as a “trusted and reliable community partner,” San Antonio-owned utility CPS Energy has some explaining to do. Recent reporting shows that the utility still owes certain energy suppliers roughly $350 million from purchases it…

Commentary

Government Price Controls on Credit Cards Hurt People

As Congress revives the misnamed Credit Card Competition Act and state legislatures push bills to regulate swipe fees, policymakers are quietly setting the stage for a major disruption in how Americans access credit. These proposals aim to cap interchange fees—those…

Commentary

89th Texas Legislative Roundup: Wins and Setbacks for Texas Taxpayers

The 89th Texas Legislative Session came to an end on June 2nd, culminating with several meaningful wins for fiscal conservatives across the Lone Star State, but also leaving them with much to be desired and far more work to be…

Commentary

The Texas Budget Blowout

Taxpayers should be alarmed at final 2026–27 budget passed by the Texas Legislature. What started as competing proposals from the Senate and House has ended in a bloated conference committee budget that dramatically expands state government beyond what key measures like…

Commentary

The Texas Legislature Continues to Fund Rapid Growth in State Spending

Texas Taxpayers Need a Break State Funds Spending Up $25 Billion The Texas Legislature is on the verge of adopting its final budget for the 2026-27 fiscal biennium. Few people are aware of this, but that budget consists of two…

Commentary

More Republicans Join Democrats to Advance Biden-Style Debt Bailout

Now It’s Up to the Governor to Stop It Just one day after narrowly passing the Texas House on second reading, Senate Bill 646—an expensive, government-growing student loan forgiveness program—cleared its final hurdle in the chamber with even more Republican…

Commentary

15 Republicans Join Democrats to Pass Biden-Style Loan Forgiveness Program

On May 27th—the final day for bills to pass on second reading in the Texas House—fifteen Republican lawmakers broke with conservative principles and sided with Democrats to pass Senate Bill 646 by State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas), a bloated and…

Commentary

Don’t Hollywood My Texas: Why Legislators Should Reject Giving $2.5 Billion of Taxpayer Money to Hollywood

When the Texas House of Representatives come to order on Sunday, May 25, one of the first bills it will consider is Senate Bill 22 (SB 22), which creates a brand new fund called the “Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive…

Commentary

Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget – Reason #10: The 2026-27 Texas Budget is Not Conservative

Many Texas politicians are claiming the proposed 2026-27 Texas budget is conservative. But the facts tell a different story. Examples of poor fiscal discipline in the proposed 2026-27 Texas budget include more than $50 billion of new state funds spending,…

Commentary

Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget – Reason #9: The Texas Budget is Not Pro-Growth

Texas is still growing—but it’s no longer growing right. In a state known for dynamism, this year’s budget feels more like a bureaucratic monument than a launchpad for prosperity. Despite historic surpluses, lawmakers have chosen spending sprees over structural reform…