Spending

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….

Commentary

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…

Commentary

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…

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…

Commentary

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…

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 #9: The Texas Budget is Not Pro-Growth

Texas is still growing—but it’s no longer growing right. In a state known for dynamism, this year’s budget feels more like a bureaucratic monument than a launchpad for prosperity. Despite historic surpluses, lawmakers have chosen spending sprees over structural reform…

Commentary

Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget – Reason #8: The 2026-27 Texas Budget is a Democrat-Friendly Budget

Spending in the proposed 2026-27 Texas budget is very Democrat friendly. Fifty-seven of the 62 Democrats in the Texas House voted for the budget; all 11 Democrats in the Texas Senate voted for it. And why shouldn’t they? In the…

Commentary

Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget –  Reason #7: The Texas Budget Supports $42+ Billion in Handouts for Special Interests

Despite its conservative image, Texas is a haven for crony capitalism. Texans provide billions of dollars for big and small business and special interests groups through multiple channels, including property tax abatements for manufacturers and subsidies in the Texas budget. …

Commentary

Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget –  Reason #6: There is No DOGE in the Texas Budget

While Washington under Trump sought to “drain the swamp,” Texas lawmakers are filling it back up. The state’s latest budget is a glaring indictment of government excess, and it’s missing a critical weapon against waste: DOGE, the Delivery of Government…

Commentary

Why Republicans Should Vote Against the Texas Budget – Reason #5: State-Controlled 2026-27 Spending Likely to Top $600 Billion

The Texas budget is put together using smoke and mirrors. Everything about the appropriations process is designed to hide the total cost and true size of the state government from Texas taxpayers. For instance, the Legislative Budget Board shows that…