Tax Policy Proposals Recap
This week we’ve looked at a number of tax policy proposals coming out of the Senate, including those that are part of the $4.6 billion tax cut package announced by Senator Jane Nelson and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. We’re concerned that these proposals take Texas in the wrong direction at a time when our population […]
Lower Revenue Cap = Fewer Local Services
We’re continuing our week-long march through tax policy proposals, and today we look at a proposal to lower the cap on local government property tax revenue. SB 182, authored by Senator Paul Bettencourt, and HB 365, by Representative Gary Elkins, aren’t part of the $4.6 billion package of tax cuts senate leaders introduced this week, […]
Proposal Addresses Frustrations with Property Taxes
On Tuesday, Senators Jane Nelson and Charles Schwertner drew much attention when they announced several major tax cut proposals, including a homestead exemption increase. As part of our week-long series on tax policies, today we’re looking at proposals to address frustrations with residential property taxes, such as the homestead exemption increase. While many of the […]
Don’t Prioritize Roads Over Other Needs
UPDATE: Senator Robert Nichols (R – Jacksonville) announced a change to the proposal. The new proposal, which requires a constitutional amendment, would dedicate 50 percent of the revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax to highways in the following way: the first $2.5 billion would go to General Revenue, the next $2.5 billion would go to […]
Impacts of Reducing the Franchise Tax
UPDATE: Senator Charles Schwertner (R – Georgetown) filed SB 7 , which calls for a reduction in the franchise tax rate, and SB 8, which increases the amount of revenue exempted from the franchise tax. To ensure that all Texans have the chance to compete and succeed in life, we need world-class public schools, roads, hospitals, […]
Analysis in Brief: DARS Budget Proposals
On January 27, Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson (R – Flower Mound) introduced SB 2, the Senate’s starting-point 2016-17 Texas budget. Two weeks earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Joe Straus (R – San Antonio) introduced HB 1, the House’s recommendations for funding state services in 2016-17. Public hearings are now underway on […]
Analysis in Brief: DFPS Budget Proposals
This week, I testified in front of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II on their respective starting-point budget proposals for DFPS. This testimony comes a month after the Speaker of the House of Representatives Joe Straus (R – San Antonio) introduced HB 1, the House’s recommendations for funding state […]
You Had Me at “Early Education”
Governor Abbott’s first State of the State address started out strong, but then he lost me. I was pleased to hear the Governor declare early education his first “emergency item,” saying “our children and their future have no time for delay.” Pre-Kindergarten is the smartest and most cost-effective investment in education – yet only 52 […]
Texas Should Continue to Lead with Smart Immigration Policies
The crowd on the south steps of the Texas Capitol Wednesday morning truly reflected the changing face of our great state. I was proud to represent CPPP at the “Texas Can Do Better” immigration day of action. Hosted by our friends at the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance, today’s day of action highlighted the coalition’s […]
Senate Public Education Investment Falls Short
Today the Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on the importance of investing in public education. When District Court Judge John Dietz found Texas’ school finance system to be unconstitutional last year, he did so on the grounds that Texas fails to adequately invest in public schools and the available resources are not equitably distributed. One key […]
