Property Tax

Commentary

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….

Explainers

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….

News89th TXLege

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…

Commentary

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…

Commentary

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…

Commentary

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…

Commentary

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…

News89th TXLege

Special Interests Pressuring Abbott to Veto Real Housing Reform: Why HB 21 Deserves to Become Law

A rare win for taxpayers is sitting on Governor Greg Abbott’s desk—but powerful forces are working behind the scenes to derail it. House Bill 21 by State Rep. Gary Gates (R-Richmond)has cleared both chambers of the Texas Legislature with bipartisan…

Commentary

Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget – Reason #10: The 2026-27 Texas Budget is Not Conservative

Many Texas politicians are claiming the proposed 2026-27 Texas budget is conservative. But the facts tell a different story. Examples of poor fiscal discipline in the proposed 2026-27 Texas budget include more than $50 billion of new state funds spending,…

Commentary

Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget – Reason #3: The Texas Budget Has More Than $50 Billion of New Spending

When the Texas House and Texas Senate vote on whether to approve the final versions of House Bill 500 and Senate Bill 1, Figure 1 shows that they will be voting on whether to approve more than $53 billion in…

Commentary

Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget – Reason #2: The Texas Budget Belongs in California, Not Texas

Once hailed as a national model for fiscal responsibility and economic freedom, Texas now appears to be drifting dangerously close to California’s big-government playbook. The recently proposed 2026–27 Texas state budget sends a clear signal: the Lone Star State is…

Commentary

Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget – Reason #1: Texas Property Taxes are Out of Control

Since 2019, including what is proposed this session, the Texas Legislature has increased spending on public schools by about $23 billion in the name of property tax relief. It has done little to help Texans; during that period, Figure 1…

Commentary

Texas Is Still Growing — But Austin Keeps Getting in the Way

Texas continues to lead in many ways. There were 192,100 new jobs added over the past year — the most of any state in raw numbers. In March alone, Texas added 26,500 nonfarm jobs, bringing the total number of jobs…

Commentary

Ten Reasons Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget

On April 11, 26 Texas House members voted against the budget bill, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1). That was the most no votes against a Texas budget since 29 members voted against the budget in 2013. Nineteen of the no…

Commentary

It is Time to End Hollywood Handouts

Testimony on HB 4568 The 79th Texas Legislature established the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP), also known as the Film Incentive Program, in 2005. Since then, star-struck legislators have thrown well over $100 million of Texas taxpayer money…