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Will Texas DOGE more spending?
State needs a similar effort to Musk’s federal crusade. This commentary was originally published at The Dallas Morning News here. It is being republished with permission from the author. One of the most amazing political phenomena Americans have seen in ages is…
Real Options for Eliminating Property Taxes in Texas
Property taxes are a financial burden that Texans can no longer afford to endure. Over the past 26 years, Figure 1 illustrates how property taxes have increased by an unsustainable 330%, far outpacing population and inflation growth of 136%. Figure…
Foreign Land Ownership and the American Dream
The American Dream Land ownership has always been deeply intertwined with the American identity. From the earliest days of settlement, land was seen as foundational to liberty, independence, self-determination, and economic opportunity. Colonists and immigrants from all over the world…
News and 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…
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….
Explainer: Did the Texas Legislature Really Spend $51 billion On Property Tax Relief This Session?
Executive Summary Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed property tax legislation passed this session by the Texas Legislature. Since then, quite a few Texas politicians have been claiming that the Legislature committed $50 billion or so property tax relief this session….
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…
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…
TFR Sends Letter to Abbott Requesting Veto of SB 646 and SB 974
This week, TFR sent the following Letter to Governor Greg Abbott, requesting that he veto Senate Bill 646 and Senate Bill 974, two bills that grow government and expand entitlements. Dear Governor Abbott, We are writing to respectfully urge you…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Vote Notice 5.31.2025
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for May 31st, 2025 Texas House of Representatives Subject: Conference Committee Report Senate Bill 1 (CCR SB 1) – General Appropriations Act Texas Senate Subject: Conference Committee Report Senate Bill 1 (CCR SB…
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…
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…
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…