Unlike in the US House of Representatives, the Texas House of Representatives requires its members to live within the district they represent, and candidates for such office to have established residency in the district. Read More»

This should not come as a surprise to anyone who actually paid attention last session, but a new analysis from Rice University suggests that despite their minority status, Texas liberals in the Legislature actually had far more influence on the agenda than "public perception" might have it. Read More»

KLBJ reported this afternoon that Austin ISD has a public meeting tonight to discuss a possible $.05 property tax increase, ostensibly to pay for teacher pay raises Read More»

It's much "sexier" for bloggers and the MSM to talk about the trillion-dollar national deficit and even Texas' projected budget shortfall than about local government debt.  But I like talking about pesky local government, mostly because I believe that the government closest to us also does the most damage. Read More»

Brace yourselves, folks.  Just yesterday, the Statesman's Laylin Copelin reported that Travis County property appraisals had fallen 3.5% this year.  Which means every taxing entity in the county that collects property taxes will lose revenue. Read More»

It seems that State Rep. Mark Strama (D-50) has been getting credit for things he did not do. Read More»

Doesn't that thought just make you....gag? Read More»