Just what we need: higher taxes. But that’s what the El Paso Times wants, er, um, that’s what they say an Oil Paso oil man wants. Not the newspaper, no sir. The editorial board is just wants everyone to “stop and think” about the silly proposals of Western Refining CEO Paul Foster. Read More»

Unless something unexpected happens (which has defined the process up until now), the next speaker of the Texas House will be Joe Straus (R-San Antonio). He this evening surpassed 98 pledges of support (needing only 76) and the remaining Republican candidates bowed out. Read More»

So State Rep. John Smithee of Amarillo is now officially "in" as a candidate for House Speaker. A member of the Legislature since 1984, he is one of only 15 House members to receive our "Texas Taxpayer Hero Award" for his outstanding representation in the 2007 session. He had a 91% score on the Fiscal Responsibility Index. Read More»

The media is a’ flutter with news that 11 Republican members have chosen someone they want to replace incumbent House Speaker Tom Craddick (apparently the remaining 65 are happy with Craddick), and that these “anybody but Craddick” Republicans are working to get 64 Democrats who dislike Craddick to vote for their man (apparently the 10 Democrats remaining like Craddick). Confused? It's hard to pin down the shifting alliances in the Texas House, and Texas taxpayers should be careful about too readily embracing any of them. These people are all politicians, let us not forget. Read More»

There are now 12 House members who have stepped forward as declared candidates against incumbent Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland). That’s seven Republicans and five Democrats. We’ve put together an updated list of how they scored voting with Texas’ taxpayers, as measured by our Fiscal Responsibility Index. Read More»

With state agencies leaving nearly $1 billion in fees and fines uncollected, taxpayers are potentially on the hook for picking up those operating costs. TFR's Michael Quinn Sullivan told the Associated Press it's "incumbent on our state agencies to collect these fees." The El Paso Times editorial board agreed, noting, "Texas taxpayers are paying more than enough already without having to underwrite fines and fees that are going uncollected."

For years the debate over illegal immigration and its costs has been waged in the realm of anecdote and assumption; hardly the stuff of good public policy. State Rep. John Zerwas (R-Houston) is proposing a radical step: start collecting reliable data. Read More»

Of the 74 Democrats in the Texas House, 64 of them have been asked by 11 Republicans to pick the next Speaker of the Texas House. (That means 10 Democrats are joining with 65 Republicans in keeping Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick.) A liberal political gossip website last night quoted Rob Eissler (R-The Woodlands) as saying while he doesn't "have a problem with Tom Craddick," he was with the Democrats finding a new speaker because, "I don’t think (Craddick) has the votes.” He's a Republican committee chairman... From mega-Republican Montgomery County... In power because of Craddick... Asking the Democrats to pick a speaker. 'Tis the season for insanity. Read More»

Cleburne ISD (mis)spent $367,000 of federal funds to, among other things, build a waterslide and rent an inflatable alligator. What, precisely, an inflatable alligator has to do with reading instruction is left unanswered. According to U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), this little gem was uncovered (pdf page 10) by the Texas Education Agency because local school officials failed to provide "lesson plans or other documentation" regarding the expenditure. Just goes to show, an alligator always gets you in the... wallet. Read More»

You have to admit it, Rick Perry is right about at least one thing: new taxes would “sour the Texas economy.” With the national economy in the tank, and Texas still comparatively well-off, legislators will have to work hard to keep the state out of California-like insolvency that occurs when legislators try to tax and spend themselves into prosperity. Read More»