News and Commentary

Explainers

Explainer: The Texas Blackout: What Happened? How do we fix it?

Following the disastrous Texas blackout in February 2021, TFR created the following video explaining part of the problem and potential solutions to safeguarding the life, liberty, and property of everyday Texans.   While further reforms are most assuredly needed, action…

Commentary

Eliminate 312 Tax Abatements, Lower Tax Rates Instead

Originally implemented in 2001, property tax abatements have exploded as local governments across Texas compete with each other in an endless cycle of targeted giveaways to big business. The time to end this unfair, costly, and crony practice has come. Defined…

News

Texans to Pay Out Tax Abatements for 41 More Wind and Solar Plants in 2021

As extreme cold batters the Lone Star State and power failures leave millions huddling for warmth in their homes, dealing with broken pipes, and rendering many roads unnavigable, many Texans are looking to the latest from ERCOT or the weather…

Commentary

Re-Regulate Tuition, Repeal Tuition “Set Asides”

For most of Texas history, tuition rates at public colleges and universities were set by the Texas Legislature. That changed in 2003 when lawmakers “de-regulated” tuition and voted to give the state universities the ability to set their own rates,…

Explainers

Explainer: The Governor in the Budget Process

The Governor’s role in the budget process explained in a way taxpayers can understand.

News

Taxpayers Subsidizing Mavericks Decision to Forego National Anthem

Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks’ decided to axe the pre-game playing of the national anthem for the foreseeable future—a development that sparked widespread condemnation from Texans. .@mcuban Your decision to cancel our National Anthem at @dallasmavs games is a…

Explainers

Explainer: Texas Comptroller

Texas Comptroller explained in a way taxpayers can understand.

Commentary

Would Marijuana Legalization Really Solve the Texas Budget Deficit?

Depending on your perspective, Texas has either held the line by declining to legalize recreational marijuana or lagged behind the nation as more and more states have enacted laws regulating and taxing the sale of the plant and its derivatives….

Commentary

TFR Statement Following Abbott’s State of the State

Following the State of the State address, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility issued the following statement: “As it relates to the Texas budget and other related fiscal matters, Gov. Abbott did not say much. However, the Governor’s speech does not change Texas…

News

No Mention of Tax Relief in Abbott State of State

Expanding rural broadband access, preventing local governments from defunding the police, and bail reform were all highlighted by Gov. Greg Abbott in his State of the State address last night. Entirely missing was any statement in regard to prioritizing tax…

Commentary

Three Things Taxpayers Should Know About the Proposed Samsung Deal

In late January, news broke that Samsung is seeking a 100 percent tax rebate from the City of Austin for more than 20 years in exchange for building a $17 billion facility within its borders. As more continues to unfold…

News

Samsung Seeking Big-Time Tax Incentives from City of Austin

A big technology company is seeking big-time tax incentives in order to make a big investment in the Texas’s capital city. On Thursday, Community Impact’s Christopher Neely reported Samsung Semiconductor is seeking a 100 percent tax rebate from the City…

Explainers

The Legislative Budget Board (LBB) Explained

The LBB explained in a way that taxpayers can understand.

Commentary

TFR Statement on the Proposed Texas Budget

Following the release of budget proposals by the Texas House and Texas Senate, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility president Cary Cheshire released the following statement: “In light of the continued government shutdowns negatively affecting Texans and the Comptroller’s projection of a…

Commentary

Eliminate the Texas Enterprise Fund, Cut Taxes Instead

Compared to most states, Texas is among the most business friendly with no tax on personal income, fewer regulatory barriers relative to many of its neighbors, and an engaged and enterprising workforce. However, the state could be even more business…