News and Commentary

Commentary

The Ginn Economic Brief: U.S. Economic Situation—February 2024

Highlights Figure 1: Real Average Weekly Earnings Remain Down 4.4% Since January 2021 Source: Fed FRED Labor Market The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its U.S. jobs report for January 2024, which was another mixed report with some strengths…

Commentary

Texas Keeps Falling Behind Without School Choice

This commentary was originally published at The Dallas Express here. It is being republished with permission from the author. National School Choice Week was last month, a time when all states should be celebrating the educational freedom they provide to teachers, parents,…

Commentary

Dallas Can Make Housing Affordable Again

This commentary was originally published at The Dallas Express here. It is being republished with permission from the author. Home “owners” in Dallas and surrounding cities find themselves grappling with the weight of unaffordability as property taxes soar, increasing by $120 million despite…

Commentary

A Look at the Primary Ballot Propositions With An Impact On Your Wallet

Election Day is Tuesday, March 5th. Primary voters across the State will soon be heading to the polls for the 2024 Primary Elections, with early voting beginning on Tuesday, February 20th.  The election is focused on choosing candidates to be…

News

TFR Endorses Candidates for Office

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has officially launched our 2024 Primary Election Endorsements. With early voting beginning in less than a week on Tuesday, February 20th, and election day just around the corner on March 5th, Texans should know who the…

News

Inflation Surges, Clouding Economic Outlook 

Inflation shot higher than expected in January. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report has thrown a wrench into the expected timeline for Federal Reserve rate cuts, as inflation figures for January came in higher than anticipated.  The report revealed…

Commentary

Governor Abbott Blasts Glenn Rogers Failing Fiscal Record

Last Friday, the town of Mineral Wells, Texas, welcomed Governor Greg Abbott for a well-attended campaign rally in support of Mike Olcott, a candidate endorsed by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR).  During the event, Governor Abbott articulated his rationale behind…

News

Harris County’s Guaranteed Basic Income Program Raises Legal and Fiscal Concerns

Harris County’s “Uplift Harris” guaranteed basic income program is facing criticism and legal scrutiny from State Senator Paul Bettencourt (R – Houston), who submitted a request for an opinion from the attorney general’s office on the constitutionality of the initiative….

Commentary

A Powerful Tool to Hold Lawmakers Accountable

As we enter election season, many voters across the State of Texas are looking to find information about candidates and the voting records of their sitting elected officials, in order to make informed decisions at the ballot box.  Thankfully, Texans…

Research

New Property Tax Numbers Prove Relief Was Not the Largest in Texas History

Texans are upset that their property tax relief is less than the Texas Legislature promised last year. While Texans for Fiscal Responsibility wrote about how we should expect this outcome, the reporting and claims about this relief were that it…

News

The Ginn Economic Brief: Texas Economic Situation – January 2024

While the Texas economy continues to be one of the best in the country, the state must not rest on its laurels. This is because other states are becoming more competitive, and recent efforts by the Texas Legislature have headed…

Commentary

Texas Can Have More Tax Relief if the Legislature Stops its Out-of-Control Spending

This commentary was originally published at The Center Square here. It is being republished with permission from the author. In 2023, Texas led the U.S. on many fronts: job growth, economic expansion, energy production, and a record surplus of $33 billion. This…

Commentary

Public Service or Personal Gain?

2023 was a year of legislative disappointments: mediocre property tax relief, wasteful spending, and fiscal irresponsibility; however, there was another egregious example of legislative impropriety that may have flown under the radar for some.  While you were struggling under the…

Commentary

Seasons Greetings: Thank You and Merry Christmas from TFR 

As the year comes to an end and the Christmas Season is upon us, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the unwavering encouragement and assistance of our dedicated supporters, readers, and fellow taxpayer advocates.  This Christmas, we extend our…

Commentary

Year-in-Review: Texas Mired in Fiscal (Ir)Responsibility

Explore a pivotal year in Texas politics, featuring a historic budget surplus, the largest spending increase, complex property tax cuts, corporate welfare debates, and the unresolved school choice saga. This comprehensive review sheds light on the major legislative decisions and their implications for the future of Texas.