88th Legislative Session
House Takes Up Vaccine and Border Bills, But School Choice Still in Limbo
With more than half of the special session already over, on Wednesday, the Texas House finally took up and considered four bills on the Floor for debate. Two House bills and two Senate bills considered included: SB 7 by Senator…
Texas Senate Pushes Border Security, While Texas House Lags Behind
We are now ten days into the third Special Session of the Texas Legislature. While school choice has been a focal point of the session thus far, another major area of concern is the ongoing border crisis and illegal immigration. …
ROUND 3: The Third Special Session Has Begun
The third special session of the year has officially started, with the Texas House and Texas Senate both convening this afternoon. Tensions between the two chambers and members of leadership are high after a strained regular session, two special sessions,…
Abbott Officially Announces Third Special Session
Rumors had abounded for months that Governor Abbott was going to call a third special session to address so-called “school choice.” The third special session of the year has officially been called by Governor Abbott, with the State Legislature to…
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…
Texas Two Step in Dallas: Property Tax Relief but Excessive Spending by State and Localities
This commentary was originally published at The Center Square here. It is being republished with permission from the author. If you live in Texas, then your property taxes are skyrocketing. This has made housing less affordable, especially for the neediest among…
Property Tax Bills About to Hit Mailboxes
It is that time of year again! When Texas taxpayers are reminded that they, in fact, do NOT own their homes, but rather pay perpetual rent to the government via the property tax. That’s right, soon property tax bills will…
Texans Can Downsize Texas Government in November
Texas politicians had a choice to make this spring. With a record $80 billion of new revenue available, they could either spend the money or give it back to Texas taxpayers in the form of property tax relief. Unfortunately for…
TFR Calls for Third Special Session to “Ax the Tax”
Today, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) requesting that he immediately call a third special legislative session, to address a host of pressing issues affecting all Texas taxpayers and families. It is already…
Last Call for Texas Taxpayers: Final Chance to Challenge Rising Taxes and Local Spending
Every year in August and September, Local Governments across the Lone Star State set about the task of proposing and then adopting their tax rates and budgets for the next year. Last month, TFR reminded Texas taxpayers about the impending…
Under Threat: Local Government Preemption Bill Challenged by Liberal Cities in Court
This Friday, the first of September, roughly 800 new laws passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by Governor Abbott are going fully or partially into effect for the first time. One of those bills designed to protect Texans from…
Nearly 800 New Laws on the Horizon
This Friday, September 1st, 2023, marks the day nearly 800 new laws, passed by the 88th Legislature, go into effect. Of those, several will impact Texas taxpayers directly both immediately and into the future. For Texas taxpayers, the 88th Legislative…
Need to Know: A Look at the Texas Constitution Amendment Propositions on the Ballot
This November, Texans across the State will go to the polls to vote on fourteen (14) amendment propositions to the Texas Constitution. These proposed amendments were passed by two-thirds of both the Texas House and the Texas Senate and require…
Legislators Celebrate Second-Largest Property Tax Relief Package in Texas History
In an official commemoration surrounded by Texas legislators, Governor Abbott ceremoniously signed and celebrated the second-largest property tax relief package in Texas history. Taking place in New Caney, Texas, and livestreamed online, Governor Abbott on Wednesday ceremoniously signed the new…
Political Calculus Changing Around Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban?
Will Texas ban the practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying in the next legislative session? Taxpayer-funded lobbying, simply put, is the practice of local political subdivisions (school districts, cities, counties, etc.) hiring lobbyists in Austin to lobby lawmakers to increase the local…