Pres. @TXPolResearch | Former #txlege Staffer | Husband | Dad | Free Speech/Free Market Purist | '25 #SEVVIE & @GAWTP Champion of Freedom | My Thoughts โคต๏ธ
Weatherford, TX
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๐บ๐ธ For almost 250 years, one question has defined America: Can free people govern themselves?
I've spent the last few weeks exploring that question in my spare time & jotting down my thoughts in a five-part essay series commemorating America's 250th anniversary. It has been a fun exercise to say the least & I think it's some of the most meaningful writing I've done in quite some time, even if it is for my own edification. If interested in following along, I will be publishing one a day until Independence Day.
Part I: The Idea That Changed the World (6/30)
Part II: Why the Founders Distrusted Power (7/1)
Part III: Freedom Requires Virtue (7/2)
Part IV: Why the American Experiment Still Works (7/3)
Part V: The Next 250 Years (7/4)
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Texans from every corner of the state are saying the same thing: the property tax burden is out of control.
Homestead Exemption gimmicks wonโt cut it. Local governments need serious guardrails. A path to full elimination does exist; it just takes political courage.
Property taxes are on the special session agenda beginning tomorrow:
- Legislation to cut property taxes.
- Legislation to limit spending by government entities that impose property taxes.
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๐คThink the homestead exemption and perpetually increasing it are saving you from high property taxes?
๐งตThink again. Itโs a political gimmick that shifts the burden and hides the real problem. Letโs break it down.
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Some will downplay this as a harmless practice, including a few #txlege lawmakers themselves. But Texans should DEMAND better. You didnโt elect a deskmate or nearby lawmaker to vote on your behalfโyou elected your representative.
The latest trend on the #txlege House floor: Members are using these extend-o-sticks to reach the buttons of their fellow members. No wonder these buttons keep โmalfunctioning.โ
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Texas has the highest licensing burdens in the U.S.โfrom occupational licenses to permits and fees. Many exist only to fund bureaucracies. #txlege MUST review them all this session!
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(๐งต1/) ๐จ SB 22 ALERT #txlege
Starting Monday, SB 22 is on Senate Intent Calendar. Texans need to know just how bad this bill is. This bill isnโt just bad policyโitโs a taxpayer-funded disaster wrapped in censorship & cronyism. Hereโs why Texans should be sounding the alarm.
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SB 22, the Texas Hollywood corporate welfare boondoggle, was put on the Sunday #txlege House Calendar. To say this bill needs to die a very public legislative death is an understatement. Kill it with fire!
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๐ค Try aiming higher than the 'How many bills did you pass?' metric when evaluating your #txlege lawmaker. You should be more interested in the 'How much government did you limit?' metric.
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๐คNow hear me out... What if, when filing new bills, #txlege lawmakers also had to simultaneously publish an explanation of what the bill seeks to do ๐คฏ
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๐Gov. Abbott just signed the TX #HeartbeatBill or #SB8 into law. #txlege
๐The bill prohibits abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected while also giving legal standing to
๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐จ๐ก๐: ๐
texasscorecard.com/state/texโฆ
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๐I am continuing to read through #txlege pre-filed bills. @brianeharrison filed HB 901, which seeks to ensure no taxpayer-funded salary of a state officer or employee can exceed the salary of the Texas Governor. (currently $153,750/year)
Bill: capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
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๐ค We did it! We read every #txlege filed bill. Sure, most of them will never make it out of committee, but it contextualizes what issues some lawmakers prioritize over others.
๐Anyone can access those bill summaries/digests for FREE here:
texaspolicyresearch.com/billโฆ
In total, we read:
๐9,054 total bills
๐5,583 House Bills
๐3,027 Senate Bills
๐111 House Concurrent Resolutions
๐42 Senate Concurrent Resolutions
๐208 House Joint Resolutions
๐83 Senate Joint Resolutions
Let's break that down further.
In the TX House:
๐3,457 Republican-authored bills
๐2,440 Democrat-authored bills
๐State Rep. @RyanGuillen filed the most bills in the House at 137
In the TX Senate:
๐1,879 Republican-authored bills
๐1,268 Democrat-authored bills
๐State @SenBryanHughes filed the most bills in the Senate at 206
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๐ค I am sure it is an unpopular opinion, but every vote in #txlege should be a record vote.
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๐ There is no good excuse not to get this done in the ongoing #txlege special session. It is BEYOND time!
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๐ค The #txlege House convenes at noon today, & instead of considering a litany of good property tax relief/reform bills first, they are taking up HB 23 (a "priority" bill) that will give the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo a property tax exemption, Texas taxpayers be damned...
๐งต1/ Texans, beware of HB 23, a "priority" bill in the ongoing special #txlege session. It gives special tax breaks to a single type of nonprofit in Harris County, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Meanwhile, real property tax relief bills for ALL Texans sit untouched. Hereโs why this bill deserves a NO. ๐
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๐กFrustratingly, HB 23 passed the #txlege House by a vote of 113Y/13N. Lawmakers prioritized giving the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo a property tax exemption over tangible property tax relief to Texas taxpayers.
Recorded vote below:
๐งต1/ Texans, beware of HB 23, a "priority" bill in the ongoing special #txlege session. It gives special tax breaks to a single type of nonprofit in Harris County, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Meanwhile, real property tax relief bills for ALL Texans sit untouched. Hereโs why this bill deserves a NO. ๐
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๐ค Increasing homestead exemptions for #propertytax relief just shifts the burden onto those who donโt qualifyโunless spending is cut at the same time.
Instead of temporary fixes, #txlege should focus on eliminating the tax altogether. Texas taxpayers deserve real relief.
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(๐งต1/) Today, the #txlege Senate takes up #SB1 or the proposed state budget for FY2026- 27. At @TXPolResearch, we recommended lawmakers vote NO, barring significant improvements. Here is why:
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(๐งต1/) Today, the #txlege House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee considers SB 22โa HUGE expansion of state film subsidies. Here's why this bill steps far outside the proper role of government & raises serious constitutional and fiscal concerns.
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๐Great to see that #SB3 was vetoed by @GregAbbott_TX. It was the right call. At @TXPolResearch, we opposed SB 3 from the beginning:
"SB 3 unnecessarily restricts individual freedom, severely limits consumer access, punishes legitimate business activity, and expands criminal liability in ways that are inconsistent with sound regulatory practice. While protecting public health is a legitimate concern, this billโs one-size-fits-all approach inflicts broad economic and civil liberty costs that outweigh its intended benefits. As such, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote NO on SB 3 based on both the billโs substance and its long-term implications for regulatory precedent and economic opportunity in Texas."
texaspolicyresearch.com/billโฆ
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One of the most egregious pieces of legislation in the 89th #txlege session. Pure corporate welfare using taxpayer money in such a despicable way. #SB22
More information here:
texaspolicyresearch.com/billโฆ
Texas is a growing attraction for filmmakers and production companies.
Our rich history, business-friendly environment, & beautiful landscapes make Texas an ideal filming destination.
communityimpact.com/austin/bโฆ
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The #txlege House just adjourned until Monday. If you are keeping track that means 150+ bills left on today's calendar, plus 94 bills that were on the Sunday calendar, plus 151 on the Monday calendar. Total: 375+ bills.
๐ค If youโre also watching the #txlege House on a Saturday night (we really need hobbies), theyโve still got 150+ bills to go after HB 229. Itโs 8:09 p.m.
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(๐งต1/) Senate Bill 22 proposes giving $500 MILLION in sales tax revenue every 2 years to a Hollywood-style slush fund for film & media companies.
๐Letโs break down how this bill quietly sets up one of the biggest state giveaways in yearsโฆ #txlege
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๐ค Iโve read so many bills this #txlege session that aim to "protect" Texans from choices they freely make when engaging with businesses โ a paternalistic move disguised as consumer protection. Even if well-intended, it fuels the slow but steady growth of the government.
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Texas doesnโt have a revenue problem. It has a spending problemโtop to bottom, state to local.
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๐ค Texas spent $84.8B on pub ed in the 2021-22 school year ($15,708/student). The most recent #txlege session increased funding by another $10.8B. Those same people decrying the "lack of funding" for gov schools never seem to ask where that funding is going in the first place.
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๐We analyzed all of the fiscal notes for bills that were passed out of the #txlege House "DOGE" committee. Turns out, the committee grew government, more than it cut it. More here โคต๏ธ
๐ธThe #txlege House DOGE Committee was created to make government more efficient. Our analysis of fiscal notes shows it collectively added $223M in new spending. Even the โefficiencyโ bill (SB 14) grew government.
Read the full breakdown ๐
texaspolicyresearch.com/did-โฆ
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Yet another state that is not Texas leading on this issue #txlege
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๐คIf I observed correctly, the following #txlege House Democrat lawmakers were shown not present for today's proceedings. Those highlighted in Yellow are Chairman/Vice-Chairmen of various House Committees/Subcommittees
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3โฃIt props up a broken system.
The homestead exemption distracts from the fact that property taxes shouldnโt exist in the first place. You donโt need a coupon for a tax that shouldnโt be there.
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Easily one of the most egregious bills of the sessionโpushed as a "legislative priority" by Lt. Gov. @DanPatrick.
Texas taxpayers deserve better than having their money go to Hollywood in the form of corporate welfare.
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๐I used AI to analyze my spreadsheet of pre-filed #txlege bills, categorizing them by whether they expand or reduce government. The results? ๐
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The problem isnโt just runaway local spending, itโs the immoral foundation of the property tax system itself.
Texans never truly own their homes. SB 9 by #txlege State Sen.@TeamBettencourt tinkers at the margins. We need a full reset:
โ
Slash spending
โ
Eliminate M&O taxes
โ
End property taxes entirely
Dropping the voter-approval rate from 3.5% to 2.5% still lets local governments double taxes every 28 years. Thatโs not liberty. Thatโs managing decline.
Letโs lead, not with half-measures, but with a plan to end property taxes and let Texans actually own their homes.
Hey #txlege-
This. Right here.
Austin eyes major property tax increase to close growing budget gap.
We must stop them from raising property taxes & stop spending increases.
statesman.com/story/news/locโฆ via @statesman
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๐คJust a reminder that there is tri-partisan agreement that #txlege needs to get rid of civil asset forfeiture in Texas. There is no good excuse for them not to do so in the 89th session.
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In TX House today โคต๏ธ
Chubbing: Refers to the practice of one or more members of the #txlege debating bills at great length to slow down the legislative process. It is frequently practiced on those legislative days which have deadlines near the end of a session. Chubbing occurs in both the House & the Senate
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5โฃ Itโs not relief. Itโs redistribution.
And it keeps Texans fighting over scraps instead of demanding real reform: ending property taxes altogether.
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๐คInteresting dynamic in #txlege right now:
๐ง๐ซ ๐๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ
"Most Conservative Session Ever"
๐ง๐ซ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ
"I'm asking Gov for Special Session, TX House killed these Conservative Bills."
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๐คItโs not the governmentโs job to โcreate jobs.โ Itโs exhausting reading #txlege bill after bill pushing grants and incentives to prop up markets that donโt exist naturally.
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๐คSome #txlege lawmakers will gaslight you into believing that they provided $51 billion in property tax relief. It is misleading & frankly, dishonest. Only $6 billion of that total is for new property tax relief efforts, while the remainder is to maintain previous efforts.
What those same lawmakers could do however, to make sure that the total $51 billion on both new and previous "relief" goes further, is:
๐Address disaster loopholes allowing local govs. to increase rates without going to the voters
๐Impose spending limits on local governments
๐Strengthen the No-New-Revenue Rate (NNRR)
๐Freeze School M&O Tax Levies
Of course, they could have also appropriated even more money (given a nearly $24 billion budget surplus) to buy-down M&O property tax rates even further. Instead, lawmakers in both the House & Senate just passed a budget that continues a trajectory of growing government, squandering yet another historic opportunity to put Texas taxpayers on a path to the elimination of the tax altogether.
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That's a shame considering this โคต๏ธ #txlege
(nitter.app/Burrows4TX/status/1689โฆ)
The Committee on State Affairs wonโt even consider holding a hearing for the bill to ban taxpayer funded lobbying.
That committee is a ๐ชฆ๐ชฆ for conservative bills.
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๐#txlege "priority" legislation that has yet to be considered by Gov. @GregAbbott_TX ahead of today's veto deadline:
๐SB 1: $338 Billion+ State Budget
๐SB 3: THC Ban
๐SB 8: Requiring local law enforcement to assist the federal government's deportation efforts
๐SB 12: Parental Bill of Rights in education
๐SB 13: Inappropriate books in public schools
๐SB 15: Removing barriers to affordable housing
๐SB 22: Hollywood taxpayer ๐ฐ handouts
๐SB 25: Make Texas Healthy Again
๐SB 37: Reforming Faculty Senates
๐HB 2: School Finance
๐HB 6: Discipline in public schools
๐HB 14: Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office
๐HB 20: Establishment of the Applied Sciences Pathway program
๐HB 121: Public school safety
๐HB 127: Protection of higher ed. from foreign adversaries
๐HB 145: Wildfire risk management by electric utilities
๐HB 149: Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Systems
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๐#txlege State Rep. @BriscoeCain filed HR 33 commemorating the premiere of Season 14 of the King of the Hill animated television series.
The show takes place in a fictional TX community of Arlen (based on Richardson), & returns after hiatus for the 14th season on August 4
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(๐งต2/) SB 22 creates a $500 million off-budget slush fund to bankroll the Texas film & multimedia industryโmanaged by the Governorโs Office, with zero legislative appropriation needed to spend it.
Thatโs $1.5 BILLION over the next 6 years. With. No. Guardrails. ๐ธ
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๐คIf you are a regular #txlege observer, you have to grow exhausted of the "zombie" bills. The ones that fail to pass, but then receive a motion a short time thereafter to reconsider, and then somehow pass once reconsidered (after lawmakers are strong-armed to support).
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4โฃ Itโs used to buy votes.
Politicians pitch it as a win while overall spending increases. Theyโre not cutting taxes; theyโre playing shell games.
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๐ค The state of Texas is one of the worst offenders. So many licensing schemes act as barriers to entry for work & prosperity. #txlege
More here:
texaspolicyresearch.com/texaโฆ
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@TexasGOP final #txlege priorities next 2 years:
๐Protect Our Elections
๐Ban Democrat Chairs
๐Abolish Abortion in TX
๐Stop Sexualizing TX Kids
๐Ban Gender Modification of Children
๐Secure Border & Protect Texans
๐Parental Rights & Education Freedom
๐Defend Our Gun Rights
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๐คFor those who have not tuned in to the #txlege House today, everything has ground to a halt. The "chubbing" is in full effect. The first real deadline, precluding the consideration of any more House Bills & House Joint Resolutions, is not until Thursday of next week. What does that mean for the bills on the remainder of today's calendar and the bills on calendars in the coming days? Starting to look grim.
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๐คJust spoke with a 22-year Army vet who is being force-retired for not complying with vaccine mandate while serving on State Active Duty orders under @TexasGuard for OLS on border. According to @GovAbbott & #txlege Republican leadership, judicial action & exec orders are enough?
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๐Continuing to read through #txlege filed bills: @wesvirdelltx just filed two firearm related bills, #HB1923 & #HJR116.
1โฃ HB 1923 removes the requirement for applicants or current license holders of a license to carry a handgun in Texas to submit fingerprints. It amends multiple sections of the Government Code to reflect this change, ensuring that alternative criminal history checks are conducted without reliance on fingerprints. Other elements of the licensing process, such as handgun proficiency and mental health background checks, remain unaffected. The changes apply to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025.
Bill: capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
2โฃ HJR 116 proposes a constitutional amendment to the Texas Constitution stating that Texas does not recognize any purported federal authority to regulate the manufacture, possession, sale, or use of firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition within the state. The amendment also reaffirms the right of every citizen to keep and bear arms for lawful defense. If approved by the legislature, the resolution will be submitted to voters for approval at the election on November 4, 2025โ.
Bill: capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
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1โฃ It doesnโt cut taxes. It shifts them.
When one group gets an exemption, someone else picks up the tab. That โreliefโ is often just your neighborโs new burden.
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๐คThen why are ya'll literally waiting on the courts to decide? You could call a special #txlege session anytime. Your own political party (@texasgop), over 26 Republican lawmakers, and tons of activists have asked you to.
This is preexisting Supreme Court precedent on vaccine mandates.
The Court wrote that it is the power of a STATE to do so.
The Constitution gives police & health powers to STATES not the Federal government.
To rule otherwise tramples the Constitution.
Biden canโt impose it.
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"My VoTiNg MaChInE mAlFuNcTiOnEd" continues to be the lamest, most non-transparent excuse in the #txlege.
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๐คCan we all just be real cool and get everything done in just one special #txlege session this time? Asking for several friends...
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๐คIt's fascinating to suddenly see everyone up in arms about using SNAP benefits to purchase sugary drinks and snacks. I am old enough to remember that for several #txlege sessions, lawmakers have filed bills to address this issue and the bills have gone nowhere in the process. Will this finally be the session where this gets addressed? Is it politically convenient enough now for this to become a reality?
๐88th (2023): SB 346 by State Sen. @mayes_middleton never received a hearing in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee
capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
๐87th (2021): HB 343 by State Rep. @BriscoeCain was left pending in the House Human Services Committee
capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
(Notably, it was Co-authored by the now Speaker @Burrows4TX)
๐86th (2019): HB 4364 by State Rep. @BriscoeCain never received a hearing in the House Human Services Committee.
capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
๐85th (2017): HB 842 by now Speaker @Burrows4TX never received a hearing in the House Human Services Committee
capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
๐84th (2015): HB 493 by State Rep. @TerryCanales40 was left pending in the House Human Services Committee
capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
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๐คซPssssst. We do not have to ask the government to take care of every societal issue under the sun. Pass it on!
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๐ฅTruly honored to receive the 2025 Champion of Freedom award from @GAWTP at the Keepers of the Flame Gala. Thankful for the recognition, proud of the work we do at @TXPolResearch, and inspired by all who continue the fight for liberty in Texas.
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This is further proof that the "largest property tax cut in Texas history" was anything but. The gaslighting by #txlege lawmakers on this issue over the course of the last year and a half has been ridiculous.
The reality is that the opportunity not only for historic property tax relief but also to put Texas on a path to tax elimination was squandered. Instead, we got the largest spending increase in Texas history with last cycle's state budget and property tax burdens that still grew...
Latest @txcomptroller biennial property tax report published in December 2024 shows that property taxes indeed increased in 2023 even after the legislatureโs relief efforts last session.
This makes the โreliefโ now the fourth best since 1998, with 2007 (only decline), 2010, and 2011 being percent changes lower than the 0.81% increase in 2023.
These data are different than what the Comptrollerโs Office recently had in their spreadsheets online and what Iโve been using in my analysis. Why is this the case? Why are taxpayers being fooled about how much relief theyโre receiving?
Regardless, Texas must cut spending, impose strict state and local spending limits thereafter, cap any property tax increase with voter approval, and use all surplus to reduce tax rates.
Moreover, this should end the discussion about bad ideas of raising the homestead exemption, keeping loopholes in caps, and spending more hard-earned taxpayer money.
The election is over, stop playing political games and do whatโs best for Texas. I have ideas here (though my table 1 is wrong now given these latest reported data): texastaxpayers.com/eliminatiโฆ.
@Glenn_Hegar @TeamBettencourt @DanPatrick @GregAbbott_TX @brianeharrison @KHancock4TX @BriscoeCain @Toth_4_Texas @SenBryanHughes #txlege
Source: comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/โฆ
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๐ค In the #txlege, bills that create workgroups or studies almost always lead to more regulation, bigger government, and higher taxesโdirectly or indirectly. Theyโre often solutions in search of a problem or justifications after the fact, fueling the leviathanโs slow creep.
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๐Reading through #txlege filed bills: @DavidCookTexas just filed #HB2674 which prohibits any state education agency, including the Texas Education Agency, the State Board of Education, or any public educational institution, from enacting rules or policies that would increase regulation on homeschool programs. The bill explicitly ensures that homeschooling remains free from additional state oversight or administrative requirements. These provisions will apply beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
Bill: capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
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๐งต(1/) Now that both #txlege chambers are organized. What is the political disposition of all Chairmen/Vice-Chairmen of each committee & subcommittee?
๐Using the legislative ratings of @Texas_Taxpayers. @yct , Rice Indexes, @TxTurf, @TxValuesAction, @nfib_tx, @TXRightToLife, @FamilyProjectTX, @TXforVaxChoice, @CFGfoundation, and @texaseagleforum, I collated those ratings below:
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๐คJust confirming... as a lawmaker, you would rather an executive order & the judiciary attempt to address the issue than the one branch (of which you are a part of) who can actually make law?
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(๐งต3/) This isn't just corporate welfare. It's politically conditioned welfare.
To get funding, your film or game must portray Texas in a "positive light" & meet undefined โgeneral standards of decency.โ Otherwise? Denied.
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(๐งต6/) And let's not forget the economics: SB 22 pulls $500 million from General Revenue every other yearโwhether the program produces meaningful results or not.
Taxpayers bear 100% of the risk. Producers bear 0%. Thatโs not a free market. Thatโs a rigged one.
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๐Continuing to read through #txlege filed bills: @LoisKolkhorst just filed #SB843 which would direct the Texas Education Agency to develop and maintain a database containing detailed information on school district bonds, taxes, and bond-related projects. The database will include information such as bond ballot language, tax rates associated with proposed bonds, election results, lists of funded projects, and accounting for the use of bond proceeds. School districts will be required to supply the agency with the necessary data. The database will feature tools for generating reports and proposing updates.
Bill: capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
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Correction: Signed 2 laws that promote government paternalism
Signed 2 laws that:
- Create phone-free classrooms
- Put parents in charge of apps on their childโs phone
Kids should be learning, not scrolling.
Parents โ not tech companies โ know whatโs best for their child.
We will always put Texas kids & Texas parents first.
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๐ค#txlege Republicans are desperately trying to promote the narrative that Democrats are killing things like "thirteenth checks", property tax relief, & protecting children..... but you have to ask, why weren't those priorities in the regular session?
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2โฃ It rigs the game against renters and non-qualifiers.
If you're ineligible, too bad. Youโll pay more while politicians brag about lowering taxes for someone else.
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๐It appears @EllenTroxclair filed #HB3538 today in #txlege House. It is an identical companion to @mayes_middleton's #SB175. Both seek to ban the practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying statewide.
๐๐๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ง โคต๏ธ
capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
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It would be better if they "postponed it" until NEVER AGAIN! #txlege
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๐ค At a last estimated $1,700 per person (that's nearly $20 million) at the cost of TX Taxpayers for a series of campaign stunts to move them further into the country as opposed to doing the BOLD thing and declaring an invasion and sending them back?
As of today, Texas has bused over 11,500 migrants to sanctuary cities:
โก๏ธ Over 8,100 to D.C.
โก๏ธ Over 2,700 to NYC
โก๏ธ Over 770 to Chicago
Texas continues working to secure the border. #OperationLoneStar
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(๐งต4/) In practice, SB 22 gives bureaucrats unchecked power to decide what Texans can and canโt sayโbased on whether it flatters state politicians. Thatโs textbook viewpoint discrimination. So much for artistic freedom.
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๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐๐: ๐
Earlier this morning I reached out to all Republican #txlege House lawmakers about whether they support Lt Gov Patrick's call for a special session in June on #SB29, #SB10, and #SB12 among other priorities. This thread will be a live update of replies I receive.
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๐คFunny to watch so many incumbent #txlege Republican lawmakers campaign on promises of property tax relief knowing damn well they provided trinkets of 'relief' compared to what's necessary to truly address the growing burden on TX Taxpayers in most recent legislative sessions...
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๐ซ Itโs been a LONG #txlege session! Huge thanks to @SarahNKitchen for putting up with all the late nights & my general unavailability around the house these last few months. On top of that, she jumped in to help input completed bill analyses into our floor report system, making her the undisputed Employee of the Month. Saying weโre ready for this session to wrap up would be a massive understatement. I also want to thank our family and friends for their patience and support during this crazy season.
To all of the lawmakers, legislative staff, activists, donors, and everyday Texans we have engaged with over the last few months, thank you!
Pro Libertas, Pro Texana!
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๐ค Just at 5 o'clock, #txlege State Rep. @charliegeren filed #HJR137 relating to the legalization and regulation of casino gambling and sports betting in Texas
Bill: capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
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(๐งต3/) Texas has a record $194.6B available for general spending, including a $24B surplus.
Instead of returning the overcollection to taxpayers, lawmakers are expanding nearly every part of government. Only $6B is going to new property tax relief. Thatโs unacceptable.
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(๐งต10/) ๐ข Read the full breakdown from @TXPolResearch and share it widely: texaspolicyresearch.com/billโฆ
Let your Senator know: SB 22 doesnโt reflect Texas values. It reflects government overreach.
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๐ Wow. Longtime RPT SREC member & former RPT State Chairman candidate himself @MarkRamseySREC7 endorsed @MattRinaldiTX for Republican Party of TX Chairman.
๐Election for the position by SREC members is tomorrow.
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๐A reminder that the #txlege Speaker of the House has previously said he supports a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying. It is absolutely BEYOND time for this practice to end!
๐He joint-authored HB 281 in the 2019 session, seeking to ban the practice. He had to deal with all of the bad-actors this ban seeks to address when passing the property tax reform package in 2019 and again for the "death star" bill in the 88th session.
๐There is no excuse not to get this done this session.
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๐คFunny how the same Democrat #txlege lawmakers outraged over the NRA getting taxpayer money through the Major Events Reimbursement Program never object to the dozens of other groups cashing in. The truth? Itโs all corporate welfare, and it needs to end.
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๐Continuing to read through #txlege pre-filed bills: @HicklandHillary just filed #HB1551 which mandates that public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools notify the parents or guardians of students when an employee at their childโs campus is charged with certain criminal offenses, like sexual offenses and others. The notification must include the employee's name, position, employment status, duration of employment, the specific charge, and a presumption of innocence statement. The bill prohibits disclosure of the alleged victim's identity and allows schools to include additional relevant details. The bill is set to apply beginning with the 2025-2026 school yearโ.
Bill: capitol.texas.gov/BillLookupโฆ
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๐ฃ A vote for SB 1 is a vote for bigger, unsustainable government. #txlege
Thatโs why @TXPolResearch recommended a NO vote on SB 1.
texaspolicyresearch.com/billโฆ
We need lawmakers who will fight to cut, not grow, the government โ no matter how good the revenues look.
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๐ค@DanPatrick now in #txlege Senate talking about House quorum busting:
"This is what happens when you take 2 days off & do nothing for the last 5 days?...I want the people of TX to know that The TX Senate, every bill that got killed over there, we passed, weeks & months ago."
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Literally is government plunder. It has tri-partisan support. It is BEYOND time for #txlege to get this done!
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Big fan of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies generally. Bigger fan of not turning Texas into a taxpayer-backed crypto casino. We should not support the government using taxpayer money speculatively #SB21 #txlege
Senate Bill 21 establishes the Texas Bitcoin Reserve, a state-managed fund that holds Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies. It allows state funds to be used for crypto purchases and sets up an advisory committee to guide its management. A report on the reserveโs holdings will be published every two years. Some have called Bitcoin โdigital gold,โ and I believe its limited supply and decentralized nature make it a critical asset for Texasโ future.
#txlege
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#txlege Update: The Texas House will gavel in today at 2 PM but only briefly due to inclement weather. Regular business is set for Thursday, 1/23 at 2PM, where theyโre reportedly expected to take up both the Housekeeping (HR3) & Rules Resolutions (HR4 not yet filed).
The Senate still plans to convene today at 1 PM.
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๐คThe best part of Republican primary election season is how everyone running is a 'Conservative'.... on campaign marketing material. #txlege
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๐#txlege Senate passed to 3rd reading #SB1311 by @SenBobHall by vote of 17/13
๐Prohibits doctors frm conducting gender transition surgeries, giving puberty blockers to kids, prevents doctors who conduct those procedures frm getting insurance & requires TXMB to revoke licenses
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๐ค It appears that #HB5 or the #txlege House prioritized effort at reviving the largest #corporatewelfare program in the State of TX now has 76 total authors. Expect this to be put on a House Calendar soon. This, of course, is happening in spite of opposition to such a thing in both major political party platforms. Will @DanPatrick allow it through the TX Senate?
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"The five worst states for occupational licensing are Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oregon, & Alabama (in that order), based on the total number of barriers to entry into the labor market and the overall number of licenses required"
reason.com/2024/08/14/does-yโฆ
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