Explainers

Explainers

EXPLAINER: The Basics of How to Engage with the Legislature

The Texas State Legislature meets for its Constitutionally-required regular session once every odd-numbered year for 140 days from roughly mid-January to the end of May. The Governor can call additional special sessions of thirty days at any point outside of…

Explainers

Understanding School Choice: A Comprehensive Guide

In the realm of education, the term “school choice” has become a buzzword, sparking discussions, debates, and policy changes across the globe. But what exactly is school choice, and why is it significant? Let’s delve into the concept and explore…

Explainers

EXPLAINER: Federal Interest Rates

What They Are and How They Affect You Last week, the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) increased the Federal Funds Interest Rates to 5.25-5.50%, for a 22-year high. This follows almost a year and a half of…

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…

Explainers

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…

Explainers

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….

Explainers

Explainer: What Is the World Economic Forum?

For the last few years, it’s been hard to go to a grassroots gathering without at least a mention of the World Economic Forum or a quote from the infamous Klaus Schwab. If you haven’t heard of the World Economic…

Explainers

Explainer: What is ESG?

If you are an investor or someone who pays close attention to the economy, you have probably heard the term ‘ESG’. Despite hearing the acronym, many do not understand what it actually is and its implications for our economic system….

Explainers

Explainer: What Is The Overton Window?

If you have spent any amount of time in politics I am sure you have heard the phrase “The Overton Window” before. Today we are going to talk about what it is, and how to use this concept to our…

Explainers

Explainer: What Is Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying?

Recently Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR) released its Texas Prosperity Plan focusing on policy goals for the upcoming Texas legislative session set to begin in January of 2023. The plan focuses on three specific issues to reform: 1) Eliminating Property…

Explainers

Explainer: What is the “No New Revenue Rate”?

In a year that has resulted in crushing property tax burdens for the majority of Texans, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR) has set its sights on giving as much transparency to the property tax process in Texas as possible. Most…

Explainers

Party Conventions – Part Three: Building Blocks of the Platform

Those who choose to participate in their respective party convention processes as delegates will have the ability to help craft their party’s platforms among other responsibilities. That process begins at the precinct level with suggestions on changes to the existing…

Explainers

Party Conventions – Part Two: It All Begins at the Precinct Level

Primary Election Day is March 1st, but it also marks the first step in the state party convention process, attending your individual precinct conventions. The majority of these precinct conventions take place after the polls close, although some larger county…

Explainers

Explainer: What are the Alternatives to the Property Tax?

Property taxes have been levied by governments in Texas since before its independence from Mexico. How the tax has been levied however has changed over time. In the last few decades, the burden of property taxes has exponentially increased as…

Explainers

Party Conventions – Part One: The Work Continues After Primary Elections

Early voting begins next week (February 14 through February 25) for the primary elections where both Democrats and Republicans will choose their candidates for the General Election in November. Primary election season is certainly one of the busiest seasons in…