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[Video below] According to Stockdale Independent School District Superintendent Todd Deaver, having a solar farm in Wilson County is a “game changer.” The Wilson County Commissioners met June 9 to hold a public hearing on a request by Clear Fork Creek Solar, LLC — which applied for a tax abatement in February — for 6,100 acres of land in eastern Wilson County outside of Nixon to be designated as a tax abatement reinvestment zone, under Chapter 312 of the state tax code. According to the Texas Comptroller, before granting a tax abatement, a local taxing unit must: •Adopt a resolution...Article Link
Show off your Lone Star spirit with a free "Remember the Alamo" hat with an annual subscription to The Texan: https://thetexan.news/subscribe/The Texan's Weekly Roundup brings you the latest news in Texas politics, breaking down the top stories of the week with our team of reporters who give you the facts so you can form your own opinion.Enjoy what you hear? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review! Got questions for the reporting team? Email editor@thetexan.news — they just might be answered on a future podcast.2025 Texas Legislative Session Ends After Passing Education Funding, School Choice, THC BanTexas House and Senate Strike Last-Minute Deal on Judicial Pay Raises, Lawmaker Pension IncreasesHere's a Look at the Status of Dan Patrick's Texas Senate Legislative PrioritiesTexas Sheriff-Federal Official Immigration Enforcement Partnership Bill Sent to GovernorTexas Medical Cannabis 'Compassionate Use Program' Expansion Bill Heads to Abbott's DeskEducation Legislation Roundup: Bills Addressed During 89th SessionAbortion Legislation Roundup: Bills Taken Up During 89th SessionBorder, Immigration Legislation Roundup: Bills Taken Up During 89th SessionRep. Tony Tinderholt Announces Retirement After Six Terms in Texas HouseDepartment of Justice Sues Texas for Offering In-State Tuition to Illegal AliensBlackRock Removed From ‘Fossil Fuel Boycotter' List by Texas Comptroller
This episode of Tax Breaks is a belated tribute to Women's History Month as FTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Minnick catches up with recently retired Multistate Tax Commission General Counsel Nancy Prosser.Prosser looks back with gratitude on her esteemed state and local tax career, strongly rooted in her time with the Texas Office of Attorney General and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts where she set out on trails few women had traveled at that time while working her way up to serve as general counsel before coming to her position as MTC general counsel. She proudly shares accomplishments and challenges had along the way in deftly piecing together an understanding and interpretation of the often-complex world of tax law. Being a role model now to so many attorneys in tax to include many female attorneys, Prosser points to moving up in her career and the importance of seeing and learning from women in leadership positions and the value of that familiarity. She stresses the importance of professional networking and shares ideas for building relationships with others in the SALT world. It's a refreshing conversation that celebrates Prosser's career and the privilege she feels having had the honor of knowing and working with so many amazing people along her journey. It's a celebration of her journey. Please enjoy this episode of Tax Breaks with Nancy Prosser.
This episode of Tax Breaks published just off the heels of Women's History Month with FTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Minnick catching up with recently retired Multistate Tax Commission General Counsel Nancy Prosser.Prosser looks back with gratitude on her esteemed tax career, strongly rooted in her time with the Texas Office of Attorney General and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts where she set out on a path few women had traveled at that time while working her way up to serve as general counsel before coming to her position as MTC general counsel. She proudly shares accomplishments and challenges had along the way as she deftly pieced together an understanding and interpretation of the often-complex world of tax law. Being a role model now to so many attorneys in tax to include many female attorneys, Prosser points to moving up in her career and the importance of seeing and learning from women in leadership positions and the value of finding that familiarity. She stresses the importance of professional networking and shares ideas for building relationships with others in the SALT world.It's a refreshing conversation that celebrates Prosser's career and the privilege she feels having had the honor of knowing and working with so many amazing people along her journey.This is a celebration of her journey. Please enjoy this episode of FTA Tax Breaks with Nancy Prosser.
[Video below] Wilson County Commissioners have approved to consult outside legal counsel regarding a Chapter 312 tax abatement for a proposed solar project in eastern Wilson County. According to the Texas Comptroller, Chapter 312 tax abatement is an agreement between a taxpayer and a taxing unit that exempts increases in the value of the property from taxation for up to 10 years. Tax abatements also act as an economic tool to encourage the retention and development of existing businesses, as well as reducing unemployment with the creation of jobs in the area. The Clear Fork Creek Solar LLC project —...Article Link
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: 13 U.S. House Republicans from Texas - more than any other state - are among the 67 members of their party who are co-sponsors of H.R. 722, which would establish a national ban on abortion: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/722/cosponsors ...More on H.R. 722: https://thistleandmoss.com/p/hr722-the-republicans-try-to-ban?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's list of his top 25 legislative priorities include prayer and the posting of the Ten Commandments in schools, banning books, and doing away with "Drag Time Story Hour": https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/29/dan-patrick-priorities-texas-senate/ ...Private school vouchers are on Patrick's list too, and he insists the Republican voucher plan won't pull funds from Texas public schools: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/video/lt-gov-dan-patrick-texas-senate-set-to-approve-bill-for-thousands-of-students-to-attend-private-s/ ...Should vouchers pass, Texas' private schools are all but certain to raise their tuition rates, as their counterparts in other states with voucher programs have: https://www.lonestarlive.com/news/2025/01/texas-voucher-plan-could-lead-to-higher-private-school-tuition-experts-say.html A Facebook post by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, highlighting that most of Texas' biggest companies have not yet raised consumer prices in anticipation of Donald Trump's import tariffs, fails to note that almost a third of them have: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18hvHuM39f/ Ted Cruz lies on national TV that "thousands and thousands" of Americans died during the building of the Panama Canal - in fact most of those deaths were of workers from the Carribean, while about 300 were Americans: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/sen-ted-cruz-falsely-claims-thousands-of-americans-died-building-the-panama-canal-36629308 A Lubbock dad of three, working on securing a green card, has been swept up in Trump's deportation sweep after a Lubbock police officer turned him in to ICE during a traffic stop: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/29/texas-immigration-lubbock-police-traffic-stop-ice-deportation/ The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Grab your goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/. We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social. Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by the State of Texas' Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, to discuss the current and future state of Texas' financial integrity.1:17 Hot Take: What's your favorite rumor or myth about the Texas Capitol? 4:53 Guest Interview: Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar29:17 Survey Says: America has lost ground over the past four years35:46 Lies, Damn Lies, Statistics: Squatting in Texas46:53 What to Watch For
In this first episode of 2025, Pat and Chad hit a wide range of topics and do our best to avoid derailing the conversation with too much college football.Timestamps04:25 - TPPF Property Tax Proposals29:51 - TPPF on "Home Sharing"40:16 - Congestion pricing in New York City54:12 - Texas AG sues Allstate67:48 - Comptroller's Biennial Revenue Estimate for 2025-26LinksAsterisk (Merriam-Webster)15 Ways to Improve the M&O Property Tax (TPPF)Defending Home-Sharing is About Protecting Basic Freedoms (TPPF)Paxton files suit against Allstate, alleges company secretly collected driver's data to raise rates (Houston Chronicle)Biennial Revenue Estimate for 2025-26 (Texas Comptroller)
The Multistate Tax Commission dates to the 1960s, yet the intergovernmental tax agency and its mission on behalf of state revenue departments are often not well understood. The map of tax laws and regulations across the 50 states would be much more complicated and inconsistent without the efforts of committed attorneys, auditors, and administrators working on behalf of the commission. On this episode of Talking Tax, Bloomberg Tax senior reporter Michael J. Bologna discusses the MTC's goals and achievements with former general counsel Nancy Prosser, who retired Sept. 24. Prosser talks about the agency's essential mission to promote uniform and consistent tax policies across the states, and assist taxpayers in achieving full compliance. She also stresses the MTC's efforts to advocate for state and local sovereignty in the development of tax policy. Prosser retired after four years as general counsel and a 16-year career in tax administration with the Texas Comptroller for Public Accounts, including two years as the Texas tax agency's general counsel. In the interview, Prosser also talks about her career in state tax administration and her hopes for improved state tax uniformity going forward. Do you have feedback on this episode of Talking Tax? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.
A 26-page report from the Texas Comptroller concludes that the state needs 306,000 additional homes, a shortage that has sent housing costs soaring, The Texas Tribune reported. Homebuilding hasn't kept up with the booming economy as millions of new residents have moved here over the past decade, leaving more than half of the state's homeowners and renters struggling to find and keep affordable housing. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan have each indicated that addressing the state's housing affordability issues will be on lawmakers' agenda when they return in January for the next legislative...Article Link
View WCN's video coverage of these meetings online at wilsoncountynews.com/meeting-coverage/. Commissioners May 28, FEDC May 28 FELPS May 29 Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District Meeting: Regular meeting, May 31, 9:08-11:48 a.m.; public hearings, 9:11-9:14 a.m. and 9:14-9:28 a.m.; executive session, 10:13-11:48 a.m. Actions: •Presented a [post_excerpt],000 scholarship to Pleasanton High School graduating senior Evelynn Caraway as the winner of the district's photo essay contest •Approved a production permit for an existing well in Karnes County for industrial, livestock, or irrigation use •Adopted proposed district rule amendments •Approved renewing participation in the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Cooperative Purchasing Program •Scheduled...Article Link
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding families and businesses that they can save on the purchase of certain products during the state's Water- Efficient Products and Energy Star sales tax holidays. Created by the Texas Legislature, both holidays take place Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27. The Texas Comptroller's office estimates shoppers will save million in state and local sales tax. Products displaying a WaterSense label or logo can be purchased tax free for personal or business use. These include showerheads, bathroom sink faucets and accessories, toilets, urinals, and landscape irrigation controls. The sales tax holiday also applies...Article Link
[Video below] Poth will pay a large fine to the Texas Comptroller's office, after a state-conducted audit of the city's municipal court. An audit of court records showed that, due to poor accounting methods, the city owes the State of Texas ,462.03 in back payments. According to City Secretary Rose Huizar, the scope of the audit focused on 2020 through the present. Hilda Tejada served as municipal judge up until the current judge, Sara Canady, was appointed in May 2022 during a special city council session. State statutes require courts to collect court costs and fees, a portion of which...Article Link
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS - Brownsville City Attorney Guillermo (Will) Treviño says he believes SpaceX's rocket launching facility at Boca Chica will one day be annexed by Brownsville.Treviño made his prediction at a breakfast event hosted by Brownsville Chamber of Commerce. The event was held to discuss the two propositions Brownsville residents are currently being asked to vote on - the creation of the Greater Brownsville Municipal Development District (MDD), and the termination of the city's two current economic development entities, the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation and the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation.In the Q&A session, Brownsville entrepreneur Steve Perez referenced a map Treviño had shown in his powerpoint presentation. “I noticed on the map, the ETJ (extra-territorial jurisdiction) map, When do you expect for it to cover SpaceX? Because I didn't see it covered all the way to Boca Chica beach. That's my question,” Perez said.Treviño responded: “I have an idea for that. But we haven't gone down that rabbit hole yet. And so I know that sounds a little like code. But, would I like for us to include SpaceX in our ETJ? Of course. If I could include it in our city limits and it was up to me, I would do it.”Treviño continued: “The Texas Legislature has made it difficult for cities to annex, so you have to as a landowner petition to be annexed. We haven't received any petitions from the Musk Foundation or Elon Musk to move towards that area.”“Will we be there one day? Yes, I think so. I think with the way infrastructure is needed in the ETJ, the regulations are needed, they're gonna want to be part of Brownsville city limits, and we'll go out there right. “When you say ETJ, when we talk about it as our city growth area, that is where we plan to move one day, as annexation happens, or as we grow out that way. But it's a process. It takes time. It's not in the ETJ right now but it will be.”Businessman and investor Elon Musk owns SpaceX.In his presentation, Treviño spoke about what a “yes” vote on the MDD proposition would mean. With an MDD, the land in Brownsville's ETJ would be subject to sales tax collections, meaning more money for the city. Currently, sales tax revenues are not collected by the city in the ETJ.“The Texas Comptroller estimates $400,000 in uncollected tax revenue from the ETJ but it's not being collected by the city. So that's money that we're leaving on the table,” Treviño.“There's been chatter and newspaper articles written about SpaceX building a $14 million Rec (recreation) center and sushi restaurant. The sushi restaurant is what's estimated to be about $500,000.”That $400,000 will grow, Treviño. He pointed to a sushi restaurant SpaceX wants to build in the ETJ. At the conclusion of the presentation, entrepreneur Perez again asked Treviño about the ETJ map shown in the presentation. He wanted to know if the sushi restaurant would be in the ETJ. Treviño said he would get back to him and the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.Treviño later emailed the Guardian. He wrote: “It appears that the shopping center is inside the ETJ, but the factory and sushi restaurant will be just outside. Still, great for the surrounding area and there is room for the ETJ to grow should the commission so desire it.”Editor's Note: To read the full story, go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service website.Editor's Note: Here is an audio recording from the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce event of Brownsville City Attorney Will Treviño discussing the Greater Brownsville Municipal Development District proposition.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.
In this episode of the CEO Insider Podcast, Ed Curtis speaks with Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Hegar talks about how Texas is expanding rapidly in the business market, how Texas is the #1 state for job creation in the nation, and much more! Topics covered include: Texas leads the nation in job growth in 2023. His travels across the state confirm that growth is occurring in all 12 economic regions in Texas. He and Ed discussed the financial services sector being a major growth sector (and top contributor to Texas GDP). Hegar shared that 20% of all value exported out of the US comes out of Texas, and that the economy is between 9-10% of US GDP. Texas is now the 8th largest economy in the world, with France next in line to surpass for 7th place. The energy sector is growing based on increased demand from consumers and businesses. His statewide conversations have made him appreciate the complexity of the energy generation to consumers - and the demand gap that occurs in the late afternoon. He stressed his focus on keeping energy costs low, which will continue to attract investment into the state. His broadband plan is continuing to roll out, as over 3million households and businesses do not have access or reliable access to internet connectivity. His team has been executing well on a statewide listening tour, and is working closely with internet service providers to provide reliable service through a competitive marketplace. The new economic development incentive program that replaced Chapter 313 is underway and is accepting applications. They received their first application and expect it to be a successful tool to continue to attract business into the state. Last, the state has a $17B budget surplus. The state's rainy day fund is at $19B and is expected to be up to $24B shortly. YTexas is an elite Texas business network for companies relocating, expanding and growing in the Lone Star State. The organization is the premier go-to resource for the most current insider information about Texas' community, commerce and culture. YTexas provides a platform for the exchange of information and ideas, and fosters long-term, mutually beneficial relationships that help culturally integrate companies entering Texas. Headquartered in Austin, YTexas has received national acclaim for being at the forefront of economic development trends.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Texas had the 12th largest economy in the world when the state's comptroller, Glenn Hegar, took office.Now, Texas has the eighth largest economy. “That is hard to imagine,” Hegar said, in a speech in Brownsville on Jan. 30. He said the state's budget is roughly $150 billion.The event was titled “Texas Talks: A Luncheon with Comptroller Glenn Hegar – Navigating Fiscal Frontiers.” It was hosted at the Brownsville Events Center by the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.Hegar said four times in the last two decades tax collections in Texas grew ten percent, from one year to the next. But in fiscal year 2202, two years ago, the growth was 26 percent.“It was literally off the charts,” he said. He pointed out that some of this was due to the federal government pumping money into the economy.The population of Texas is also growing fast, the comptroller said.“Think about the fact that tomorrow morning, somewhere in this great state of 254 counties, somewhere there will be a another 1,200 to 1,300 people that call Texas home tomorrow that didn't call Texas home today.” Texas also has a more youthful population than most of the rest of the nation, Hegar said. “It's hard to imagine, ten percent of all the children in the entire United States call their home Texas.”Editor's Note: Read the full story in the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Leaders in the world of education in the Rio Grande Valley pitched questions to Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar at an event in Brownsville on Dec. 30.Those leaders included Texas Southmost College President Jesús Roberto Rodríguez, UT-Rio Grande Valley Vice President Veronica Gonzales, and Brownsville ISD interim Superintendent Jesús H. Chavez.Hegar spoke at a Brownsville Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at Brownsville Events Center. “Texas Talks: A Luncheon with Comptroller Glenn Hegar – Navigating Fiscal Frontiers.”Responding to Chavez's question, Hegar said he was a big supporter of public education, having sent his children to public schools. Chavez told the Rio Grande Guardian later that he was pleased with Hegar's response. Hegar also took a question about liquefied natural gas, from veteran broadcaster Ron Whitlock, broadband infrastructure, from Brownsville City Manager Helen Ramirez, and industry innovation, from Andrea Figueroa Benton, head of community relations for NextDecade/Rio Grande LNG.Here is an audio recording of the Q&A session with Comptroller Hegar.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Brownsville City Commission wants to terminate its two economic development organizations - Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation and Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation - and replace them with a municipal development district.The new entity would be called the Greater Brownsville Municipal Development District. Whether this happens will depend on voters living within the Brownsville city limits and Brownsville's extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The vote on whether to set up the new special purpose district and dissolve GBIC and BCIC will take place in May. Will Treviño, Brownsville's city attorney, explained what a municipal development district (MDD) is an why it is being proposed during a public hearing held at city hall on Jan. 16. He said that by including the ETJ, the City of Brownsville could pull in more sales and use taxes for the new special purpose district.“Based on the Texas Comptroller, in the ETJ there is approximately $400,000 apparently that is being left on the table that's not being collected by the city. And so this is additional revenue the city believes would help on projects both within the city and ETJ,” Treviño said.Treviño pointed out that Brownsville's ETJ is growing.“Because of changes in state law… annexation have become very difficult. And so this is a way for the city to be able to fund projects within the city and the ETJ, especially with activities such as SpaceX, the Port, the proposed 2nd Access Point for South Padre Island. All this will start increasing the sales tax in that particular area, the ETJ. So it's a good time right now for the city to go ahead and start collecting that.”Treviño continued: “This will be replacing GBIC and BCIC with a single organization that would be able to coordinate and streamline the economic development projects and quality of life projects within the MDD.”Treviño started his remark by explaining what an MDD is.“So it is a special purpose district whose purpose is to generate economic development and growth opportunities and this includes quality of life projects. They use sales and use taxes. That is the sales tax that you collect when you make a purchase and it funds economic development and quality of life projects.”Editor's Note: To read the full story go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service website.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.
The Texas Broadband Development Office, operated by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, is soliciting input from the public on the new Texas Digital Opportunity Plan. The plan outlines how these entities will connect the Lone Star State for a brighter future by making it easier for all Texans to access and use the internet. Through Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, Texans can give their opinions on the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan by visiting broadbandfortexas.com/tdop. Almost 2.8 million households and 7 million people in our state lack access to broadband, or high-speed internet, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The Digital...Article Link
On this Salcedo Storm Podcast:Texas Comptroller, Glenn Hegar.
WESLACO, TEXAS - Broadband was a top issue at a recent meeting of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council.Manuel ‘Manny' Cruz, executive director of the LRGVDC, announced the formation of a South Texas working group set up by the Texas Broadband Development Office. Cruz said TBDO is looking for more people from the Valley to be part of the group.The Texas Broadband Development Office is administered by the Texas Comptroller's Office.UT-Rio Grande Valley Vice President Veronica Gonzales also spoke about broadband at the LRGVDC meeting. Gonzales said the TBDO has launched a survey to find out how good or bad broadband service is across the state. Gonzales encouraged LRGVDC members to spread the word about the survey.Here is an audio recording of everything Cruz and Gonzales said at the LRGVDC meeting.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.
Before Gov. Greg Abbott can review the budget that will direct the state's spending for the next two years, the comptroller has to certify that it doesn't spend more money than the state expects to bring in.
Patrick and Chad discuss a proposed Costco/apartment complex in South LA, how multi-family can be better integrated into suburban areas, and give an update on the 2023 Texas Legislative Session. Costco wants to build a different kind of store in South L.A. (LA Times) HB 1465 - Grandfathering old sales tax sourcing rules HB 1513 - SB 546 - Homestead exemption changes SB 547 - Homestead exemption changes, "Prop 13 bill" Local sales and use tax on residential use of gas and electricity (Texas Comptroller)
Sterling Burnett discusses climate change. What does it have to do with the weather? Is there a bigger picture? He offers his expertise as the Director of the Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy and the managing editor of Environment & Climate News. He puts Environment & Climate News together, is the editor of Heartland's Climate Change Weekly email, and the host of the Environment & Climate News Podcast. Prior to joining The Heartland Institute in 2014, Mr. Burnett worked at the National Center for Policy Analysis for 18 years, ending his tenure there as senior fellow in charge of environmental policy. He has held various positions in professional and public policy organizations, including serving as a member of the Environment and Natural Resources Task Force in the Texas Comptroller's e-Texas commission. He is a former board member and past president of the Dallas Woods and Water Conservation Club; a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation; an academic advisor for Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow; an advisory board member to the Cornwall Alliance; and an advisor for the Energy, Natural Resources and Agricultural Task Force at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Mr. Burnett has an associate's degree in arts and sciences from Eastfield Community College (1984), a B.B.A. and a B.A. in cultural anthropology from Southern Methodist University (1986), and a M.A. (1991) and a Ph.D. (2001) in applied philosophy from Bowling Green State University with a specialization in environmental ethics. https://www.heartland.org/ https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandInstitute
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has announced its training for appraisal review board (ARB) members is now open for registration until Friday, March 10. This year both a live in-person session and two telecast sessions are being offered. Virtual training is free; the in-person session will be . Space is limited. Details on training options, dates, and more are available online at http://bit.ly/3YXDppQ. For more information, call Carmen Chavez or Taylor Castillo at 1-800-252- 9121, option 3.Article Link
The Floresville Economic Development Corporation will host a Business Power Lunch Workshop on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 11 a.m. to noon at Jack's Cafe at 507 10th St. in Floresville. The “End-of-the-Year Tax Workshop” is free and open to all Floresville business owners. A representative from H&R Block will provide important tax tips for small businesses, including changes to the tax code that will impact businesses during the 2023 filing deadlines for fiscal year 2022. The workshop will also include federal (Internal Revenue Service) and state (Texas Comptroller) filing requirements and deadlines. To register, email janice.gonzalez@emcstrategygroup.com.Article Link
The Texas Comptroller recently announced that the Texas Legislature has an unprecedented $32 budget surplus of your tax dollars. On this week's Liberty Cafe, we take a look at whether they are going to spend your money or give it back to you in the form of property tax cuts.
Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Glenn Hegar, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, about initiatives from the Comptroller's office to ensure the state's water supplies meet future demands. Hegar was elected as the 36th Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in November 2014 and was re-elected for the second time in 2022. He is Texas' chief financial officer — the state's treasurer, check writer, tax collector, procurement officer, and revenue estimator. As CFO for the world's ninth-largest economy, he monitors Texas' financial health. Hegar has worked to bring public and legislative attention to long-term financial obligations facing the state, such as water infrastructure maintenance — needs that have caused major financial difficulties in other states and which rarely receive adequate attention in the give-and-take of Texas' biennial legislative budgeting process. Before he was elected as Texas Comptroller, Hegar served in the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate, where he worked on a wide range of problems affecting Texans in areas including water issues. Hegar is a 1993 graduate of Texas A&M University and a graduate of St. Mary's University, where he earned a Master of Arts and his law degree. At the University of Arkansas, he earned his Master of Law. He is a sixth-generation Texan who grew up farming land that has been in his family since the mid-1800s.
Every year, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts prepares a document detailing the financial status of the State of Texas. The 2022 report (for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31) was recently released. It paints an interesting picture that is well worth exploring. Net revenues increased by .8 billion (7.5 percent) over 2021 and totaled 3.3 billion. Net expenditures for all funds were up .2 billion (10.4 percent) to reach 1.8 billion. Texas ended fiscal 2022 with a cash balance in the State Treasury of .7 billion, which is well over double the prior year. The primary reason for the...Article Link
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar joins the Big Texas Podcast to talk about the Texas Economy, investing in our future, property taxes, and the recent headlines regarding Harris County's proposal to decrease funding for law enforcement. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-big-texas-podcast/support
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://bluebonnetnews.com/2022/09/07/texas-comptroller-glenn-hegar-releases-statement-on-harris-county-judge-hidalgos-efforts-to-defund-law-enforcement/
Friday, 19 August 2022
This week on The Texan's “Weekly Roundup,” the team discusses Governor Greg Abbott accusing President Joe Biden of “squelching dissent” with an FBI raid on Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, Abbott's offer to hire FBI agents dissatisfied with the organization, a former Richardson mayor sentenced to prison for corruption, the Texas Comptroller's investigation into a bar that hosted a “drag for kids” event, an unauthorized and possibly illegal performance of the hit musical Hamilton, the city of Reno's upcoming vote on whether or not to disincorporate itself, a conflict between Governor Abbott and the agricultural commissioner over the Texas power grid, the upcoming debate between Abbott and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Beto O' Rourke, Texas Republicans petitioning to have some Libertarian candidates removed from the November ballot, Republican Faith Johnson outraising her Democratic opponent for Dallas district attorney, a court ruling for how the University of North Texas charges tuition to illegal immigrants, and Wise County joining other counties in declaring an invasion on the southern border. Got questions for the reporting team? Email editor@thetexan.news — they just might be answered on a future podcast.
Wilson County Commissioners Court will consider a tax abatement request by Clear Fork Creek Solar Project LLC during a regular meeting in the near future. Supporters of the abatement favor industrial investment in Wilson County, but opposition exists to large-scale solar farms in the county. The Nixon-Smiley Consolidated and Stockdale independent school districts have both granted tax abatements to the Clear Fork Creek Solar Project for solar farms to be constructed in eastern Wilson County. Maps on file with the Texas Comptroller show two additional reinvestment districts and solar farms proposed in the Stockdale ISD north of La Vernia by...Article Link
Mark Goloby is a Republican Primary candidate for Texas Comptroller. He explains the job and why he thinks Mr. Hegar should be replaced. MarkGolobyForTexas.com
The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: The operator of Lubbock Chick-fil-A locations sees his frustrations with Biden's WuFlu vaccine mandates make national news. The important part is what a Lubbock store employee was quoted as saying because it shows how soft tyranny works. That and more in the WuFlu stack.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Biden and Congressional Democrats push for a federal takeover of state voting rules. What they call "voting rights" legislation is actually a move to ensure that states have little to no rights to ensure the integrity of elections so that Democrats can cheat forever. Senator Cornyn went up against lying weasel Schumer on the Senate floor on the issue.Local sales tax numbers released by the Texas Comptroller.And, other news of Texas.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our affiliates:www.PrattonTexas.com
WESLACO, Texas - The latest sales tax revenue numbers show the Rio Grande Valley's economy is roaring, says Matt Ruszczak.Ruszczak is vice president of economic development for the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP). Each month he analyzes the sales tax revenue numbers put out by the Texas Comptroller's Office. Discussing the November 2021 report, which looks at the numbers for September 2021, Ruszczak said: “The numbers are once again, very, very good. The story every month is good numbers and good news. This is definitely another good news month for us.”In September 2021, sales tax revenues for Texas as a whole were up 19.51 percent, as compared to September 2020. The Valley as a whole was up 16.72 percent, when measured against September 2020. Of the 44 cities in the Valley, sales tax revenues were up in 41. Thirty-eight out of 44 were up over five percent, over the same period, and 17 of the 44 were up more than 20 percent.The percentage increase for Hidalgo County was 18.94 percent. For Cameron County it was 13.29 percent. Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service's website to read the full story.
The state's most lucrative corporate incentive program is now set to expire at the end of 2022, but the true cost of tax breaks designed to lure companies to Texas is still unclear. Soon, this information could be even further obscured from public view.
There are a lot of reasons being thrown around for the rising price of gasoline – inflation, COVID ending, Biden's attacks on oil and gas, decisions by OPEC – but what's the truth? Petroleum economist Karr Ingham joins us to shed light on the current state of the domestic and global oil markets, regulatory uncertainties, and geopolitical trade wars that are affecting your costs at the pump. Karr Ingham is an Amarillo, Texas economist, and is the owner and President of InghamEcon, LLC, an economic analysis and research firm specializing in statewide, regional, and metro area economics, and oil & gas/energy economics. Since 2003, he has served as the Consulting Petroleum Economist for the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. He is the creator of the Alliance Texas Petro Index, a tool for tracking growth rates and industry cycles in the Texas oil and gas exploration & production sector, as well as the Alliance Texas Permian Basin Petroleum Index. He is a member of the Texas Comptroller's Economic Roundtable, a group of statewide and national economists convened to offer economic insight to the Comptroller in terms of the general condition of the Texas economy and the ongoing revenue outlook. He also co-chairs the Supply and Demand Committee of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).
McALLEN, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley economy, as measured by sales tax revenues, went “absolutely” bonkers” in March, says Matt Ruszczak, executive director of Rio South Texas Economic Council.While the figures for the state of Texas as a whole were impressive, up 30.09 percent on the same month in 2020, the increase in the Valley was huge - 42.19 percent.“It is absolute bonkers,” Ruszczak said, in his monthly analysis of data produced by the Texas Comptroller's Office.Ruszczak said it was important to set the stage, when comparing March 2021 with March 2020.“March 2020 was obviously a challenging time. The pandemic was spreading into the United States and making its way towards Texas. March 2020 was also the month when the bridges closed - March 21st - to non-essential traffic back and forth from Mexico,” Ruszczak said.“The stock market was taking a nose dive in the month of March, last year, which added to the concern and uncertainty. And we were very rapidly approaching a shelter-in-place order which actually came into effect in April of last year.”Looking at the economy in March, 2021, Ruszczak said the contrast “could not be starker.” He said March of this year was marked by a general sense of optimism.“We had a significant ramp up in the vaccinations. We were starting to break records in terms of the vaccination numbers. Were also started to see some positive numbers coming out in terms of infection rates and the general strain on hospitals,” Ruszczak said.“The state reopened in March of 2021. The governor took a very bold step moving forward, re-opening the state, which obviously allowed businesses to start functioning at full speed, 100 percent capacity. And while the bridges were still closed and they are still today, the stimulus money, the big stimulus checks, the $1,400 stimulus check, started coming into people's bank accounts and mailboxes towards the latter part of March.”
'Tis property tax season here in Texas with a number of deadlines coming up by the end of April. Dr. Blake Bennett joins me to chat about the available property tax exemptions for property owners in the Lone Star State. Contact Info for Blake Bennett (Email) b-bennett@tamu.edu (Phone) 972-952-9273 Links to Other Topics Mentioned on the Show Prior podcast on special use property tax valuation Texas Comptroller website for property tax exemptions
Ahead of the 87th Legislative Session, Texas economic outlook is better than expected. Texas Comptroller, Glenn Hegar, comments on the current budget and availability of legislators to support priorities in education, transportation, and other issues important to the residents here in the Clear Lake Area.
This episode was recorded on January 26, 2021.In this episode, the Honorable Susan Combs talks with Jenifer Sarver about her career in public service and efforts to bring women up alongside her in Texas and national politics.Susan Combs is a former Assistant Secretary of Policy, Management and Budget at the U.S. Department of the Interior. Prior to her service to the United States, she served as Texas Comptroller, was the first woman elected commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, and also served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives. Susan is an attorney, former prosecutor, and no-nonsense rancher. In this interview, Susan shares her thoughts on the importance of women stepping up to run for office and lead politically. She also discusses her work as the author of Texas Tenacity and as a founder of Herdacity - a non-profit dedicated to empowering women in business and public service.Learn more at:www.herdacity.orgwww.SusanCombs.comShow your support for the Pink Granite Podcast and join our Leader Circle by visiting us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/pinkgranite or by visiting PinkGranite.orgFollow us on Social Media:Instagram @PinkGraniteTXFacebook @PinkGraniteTXTwitter @PinkGraniteTXLinkedIn: Pink GraniteSeason 2 of the Pink Granite Podcast is generously sponsored by:Davis KaufmanPublic BlueprintThank you for listening!Guest: The Honorable Susan CombsHost: Jenifer SarverEditing: Amy WhitedMusic: "Only the Brave Run Wild" Sounds Like SanderVoice Talent: Sarah KeatsExecutive Producer: Amy WhitedSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/PinkGranite)
In mid-January, the Texas Comptroller issued controversial amendments to its franchise (margin) tax apportionment sourcing rules. Are the rules an administrative drift towards market-based sourcing? Matt Hunsaker breaks down new rules for services, advertising, net losses (Hallmark), internet hosting, and more. Questions & Comments: mhunsaker@bakerlaw.com bakerlaw.com/matthunsaker
WESLACO, Texas - Matt Ruszczak’s end of year report for sales tax revenue activity in the Rio Grande Valley shows the region outperformed the state of Texas. Every month the executive director of Rio South Texas Economic Council analyzes numbers put out by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. His December report looked at sales tax revenue collections from November 2019 to October 2020. While Texas as a whole saw a 0.36 percent increase in collections in this period, the figure for the Valley was even better. The region recorded a 1.23 percent increase. “That is strong result, all things considered,” Ruszczak said. All four counties in the Valley recorded more sales tax revenue collections in 2020. Cameron County was up 2.03 percent. Willacy County was up 3.1 percent. Hidalgo County was up 0.63 percent. And Starr County was up 7.66 percent.Looking at individual cities in Cameron County, Brownsville saw a 1.28 percent increase, Harlingen a 1.09 percent increase, Port Isabel a 0.18 percent increase, and San Benito a 12.55 percent increase. The main drag on the county’s numbers was South Padre Island, which saw a 4.2 percent decrease. In Willacy County, the biggest city, Raymondville, saw a 4.49 percent increase in sales tax collections in the 12-month, Nov. 2019-Oct. 2020 period.In Hidalgo County, Edinburg saw a 3.21 percent increase, Mission a 1.05 percent increase, Pharr a 2.81 percent increase, and Weslaco a 5.54 percent increase. The two cities in Hidalgo County that saw a decline both rely more heavily on Mexican shoppers. McAllen’s sales tax revenue collections were down 3.79 percent. Mercedes saw a drop of 16.16 percent. Mexican shoppers have not been able to cross into the United States since last March due to the coronavirus pandemic.In Starr County, Rio Grande City’s sales tax revenue collections were up 8.38 percent.Ruszczak pointed out that 36 of the 44 cities in the Valley saw an increase in sales tax collections, with 23 recording increases of five percent or more. “For 2020 that is outstanding,” Ruszczak said, referencing the challenges posed to economic activity by COVID-19.Ruszczak noted that eight of the cities in the Valley saw sales tax revenue collections grow by more than 20 percent. “They were the beneficiaries of the COVID shift we have been talking about,” he said. “Instead of going to a destination city, people are shopping closer to home.”Editor's Note: To read the full story go to: www.riograndeguardian.com.
WESLACO, TEXAS - A shift in shopping habits brought about by the coronavirus pandemic has boosted sales tax revenues for smaller communities in the Rio Grande Valley.Matt Ruszczak, executive director of Rio South Texas Economic Council, analyzed these developments in an 2020 end-of-year report. His report was based on information released by the Texas Comptroller’s Office.“The COVID shift, looking at these numbers, is definitely real,” Ruszczak said. “The fact that people have changed their shopping habits reverberates in these numbers. The fact that they are spending their money in these secondary and tertiary markets, and not as much in the primary markets, gives value to these numbers.”The top ten Valley communities as measured by the percentage growth in sales tax revenues were: Bayview, Santa Rosa, Edcouch, Alton, Combes, Penitas, La Grulla, and Rancho Viejo.McAllen, the Valley’s No. 1 destination for shoppers, saw its market share from 1.3 percent to 24.6 percent. The city suffered in part because Mexican shoppers have been prevented from crossing in the United States since March. The travel ban was put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.Ruszczak said he will be interested to see if shoppers return to destination cities once the pandemic has receded. “As we normalize, will we revert back to old habits or are we going to retain our closer to home shopping habits, or our online shopping habits?” Editor's Note: To read the full story go to www.riograndeguardian.com.Editor’s Note: This is the first of two podcasts focusing on Matt Ruszczak’s end of year report on sales tax revenue collections. Part Two will be posted in our next edition.
Our Publisher Michael Quinn Sullivan sits down with Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar to talk about the Rainy Day Fund and budgeting issues concerning the state.
In the second installment of Women in State Tax, Matt Hunsaker interviews Nancy Prosser, general counsel of the Multistate Tax Commission and Jenny Burleson at the Texas Comptroller's office. Two women with long and varied experiences in government service. To reach Nancy: nprosser@mtc.gov Question or comments: mhunsaker@bakerlaw.com
Everyone needs more politics in their life right now, and who better to explain Texas politics than Anette's friend, Ross Ramsey, of The Texas Tribune?Ross is executive editor and co-founder of The Texas Tribune, the only member-supported, digital-first, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. He writes regular columns on politics, government and public policy. Before joining the Tribune, he was editor and co-owner of Texas Weekly. He did a 28-month stint in government with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Before that, he reported for the Houston Chronicle, the Dallas Times Herald, as a Dallas-based freelancer for regional and national magazines and newspapers, and for radio stations in Denton and Dallas.
KINGSVILLE, Texas - Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar says it will be Texas consumers that lead the state out of recession.Hegar spoke about the state of the Texas economy while giving the keynote address at Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s virtual 2020 Economic Forum. He pointed out that while other states have just one economic headwind to contend with, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Texas has two, the pandemic and a contraction in the oil and gas industry, which had started before COVID-19 hit.“Many other states don’t have the double headwinds that Texas has faced with the contraction in oil and gas as well,” Hegar said.“We think Texas will have a slower time getting back to pre-pandemic levels for GDP growth as well as employment numbers - because we have two headwinds, where other states are predominately facing one headwind instead. However, we do think that here in the next eight months or more, Texas will once again start outpacing the national average.”Hegar said Texas’ negative balance has improved quite a bit. "While our revenues are negative compared to the same month a year ago, for the last eight months on average, they are not as negative as we anticipated.”Editor's Note: For the full story go to www.riograndeguardian.com
Listen to Chelsa Vinklarek Product Manager, Statewide Fiscal Systems for the State of Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts chat about how her group manages the upgrades and maintenance of PeopleSoft for 87 agencies state wide. Chelsa will also share her agency’s experience moving their PeopleSoft instances to the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and the value of being a PeopleSoft Customer Advisory Board member.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar ran through some bleak economic statistics during a recent webinar hosted by Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.Hotel occupancy tax revenues have dropped an incredible 86 percent, he reported.Hegar pointed out that prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the Texas economy was doing really well.“The Texas economy was growing. We had sales tax increasing every single month compared to the same month a year ago,” Hegar said.“However, with the collections we had in April, which reflected the economic activity we had in March, we were down 9.2 percent compared to April of last year. We just reported what the numbers were for May, which was the business activity in April and that was down roughly 13.3 percent. That was one of the largest drops we have had, going back to February 2010 in sales taxes.”Hegar than ran through some of the other tax collection numbers. “Our vehicle motor sales and rental taxes were down 38 percent compared to May of 2019. Motor fuels taxes, which is when you go to the pump, was down 30 percent. That was the steepest decline since 1989. Oil and gas production taxes were down roughly 75 percent each. Our hotel occupancy tax - this is one that is just staggering number - was down 86 percent. That was the largest drop on record, going back to 1982. And our alcohol beverage tax was down 76 percent.”Esmy Villarreal, president of the Brownsville Chamber introduced Hegar at the start of the webinar and also pitched questions asked by chamber members.
Special use property tax valuation is an important consideration for rural Texas landowners. I am thrilled to have Cassie Gresham with us to talk about the different types of tax valuation options for people in agriculture, what is required to receive this special use valuation, the policy reasons behind the valuation, and what happens if land is taken out of the qualifying agricultural use. Contact Info for Cassie Gresham (Phone) 512.894.5426 (Email) cgresham@braungresham.com (Website) https://braungresham.com/meet-the-team/cassie-gresham/ Links to Topics Mentioned on the Show Texas Comptroller website for special use valuation Texas Parks & Wildlife website for wildlife valuation Plateau Land & Wildlife Management free events Texas A&M AgriLife Extension wildlife management valuation
What does a railroad commissioner ACTUALLY do? Wait... a county judge is NOT a judge? How do I decide which *actual* judge to vote for?!? This week we get you up to speed on down-ballot races. Former candidate for comptroller and current genius Joi Chevalier joins us to talk about what it's like to run for a position no one understands.THIS WEEK'S GUEST:Joi Chevalier, former candidate for Texas Comptroller, founder of The Cook's Nook, Annie's List board member, member of the Austin City Council's Sustainable Food Policy Board, and Google Refresh, a national policy board on Food and Technology. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009055790552 BLUE SQUAD MISSION OF THE WEEK:Download the Blue Squad App & follow The Rabble podcast to find this week's mission. If you do the most missions, we'll shout you out on the podcast!: https://bluesquad.page.link/XSCRFOLLOW ROUSER:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRabbleTX/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therabbletxTwitter: https://twitter.com/TheRabbleTXSubscribe to our Friday newsletter, T-GIF: https://www.rousertx.com/tgif/OTHER LINKS WE MENTIONED:Our "PLANcake" endorsement video for Elizabeth Warren - https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17940449890327834/Plancakes for Warren block walk - details coming soon!Becky's "poll dance" video - https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpkt1SIlmr-/Senate candidate forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3600&v=TKwOouM-VX0&feature=emb_logoKate Lincoln-Goldfinch: https://www.facebook.com/lincolngoldfinchKristen's other mural for Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch: https://www.facebook.com/lincolngoldfinch/photos/a.775086092618244/2557870551006447/?type=3Check out our interview with Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch on Episode 6 of The Rabble where she claps back against anti-immigration talking points: https://www.rousertx.com/the-rabble-pod/2019/2/20/episode-6-john-cornyn-price-is-right-paxton-family-values-the-rainbow-connection-the-lovers-the-dreamers-and-briOpponent calls Amy Clark Meachum "selfish" for wanting to break barriers: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/02/14/texas-judge-jerry-zimmerer-amy-clark-meachum-supreme-court/The Rabble episode on sex ed and the State Board of Education: https://www.rousertx.com/the-rabble-pod/2020/2/1/season-2-episode-1-live-from-the-state-of-the-uterusAbout Texas county officials: https://www.county.org/About-Texas-Counties/About-Texas-County-Officials HELP, WHAT DO ALL THESE PEOPLE DO?!?! OUR DOWN-BALLOT GUIDE:President:Don't remember what they used to do, now involves mostly tweeting and golfing.U.S. Senate:Like our U.S. Reps, they decide laws for the whole country (like whether weed should be legal everywhere), but unlike the House the Senate alone can confirm presidential appointments -- cabinet members, federal judges, ambassadors -- and the Senate alone can convict a federal official that the House impeaches. We have 2 Senators who each serve 6-year terms.U.S. House Reps:Similar to the U.S. Senate but while we only have 2 Senators for our state, Texas has 36 Reps in Congress… so our U.S. reps pay closer attention to the concerns of their particular district since it's a smaller area than the entire state. ALL U.S. Reps are up for election every 2 years.Railroad Commissioner:We have 3 railroad commissioners elected statewide, they are currently all Republicans. 1 of those seats is up this year. The railroad commission has had **nothing to do** with railroads since 2005. It regulates oil & gas, and if you care about the environment (fracking, flaring, oil pipeline & production explosions) you should care who our railroad commissioners are.Supreme Court of Texas:This is the highest CIVIL court in Texas, meaning they hear cases that individuals bring against other individuals or organizations. Here's an example: After the U.S. Supreme Court declared gay marriage legal, the city of Houston said the same-sex spouses of city employees could receive benefits the same as straight spouses do. Texas Values, a conservative group opposed to same-sex marriage, got two Houston tax-payers to bring a lawsuit against the City of Houston, Houston won in a lower court, but the case was appealed to the Texas Supreme Court. We're electing 3 judges and the Chief Justice this year. Currently all 9 judges are Republican. Amy Clark Meacham is running in the Democratic primary and would be the first ever female Chief Justice in Texas. Her primary opponent, Jerry Zimmerer, said she is “selfish” for wanting to break that barrier: “I just don't think that's what voters are looking for. … I just think that's a goal she wants to achieve for herself.” She also happens to be more qualified, so…Texas Court of Criminal AppealsThis is the highest criminal court in Texas. So, individuals who are charged with a crime can appeal all the way up to this court as their last resort. All cases involving the death penalty go directly to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. We are electing 3 judges this time.State Board of EducationThis board has 15 positions and 8 positions are up this time -- you'll vote according to which district you're in. This group is really important because they decide what gets taught in our schools -- like this year they are revising sex ed curriculum standards for the first time in 20 years. (Listen to ep 1 for more info!) We have 10 Rs and 5 Ds right now.Texas SenateWe have 31 state senators, 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats - each serves a 4 year term. For a bill to become state law, it has to pass both the Texas Senate and the Texas House. Our state legislature is super important -- for example, if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade, it will be left to the our state legislature to decide whether abortion stays legal in Texas.Texas HouseThe other part of the law-making body in TX. We have 150 House members elected every 2 years. We are 9 seats from Democrats taking control of the Texas House, and if we can do that in this election we'll get to have a say in how districts are re-drawn in 2021, and all the things!District AttorneyThe DA looks at evidence in criminal cases and decides whether the case can be taken to trial. For example, in 2017 our DA in Travis County only prosecuted 1 rape case out of 1,000. DAs also decide how victims and the accused are treated, which is huge. In Travis County, 70% of people in our jail have not been convicted of a crime -- they just can't afford bail. The DA has the power to change that.All your civil & criminal judges & court of appeals judgesThe U.S. is one of only 2 countries that elect judges, and this is always one that stumps people. Criminal judges are deciding things like whether rapists should get jail time or just be fined $400, like in the case of the former Baylor fraternity president and rapist Jacob Anderson. Civil courts handle disputes between individuals and businesses, including family law cases like divorces or adoptions, business and contract disputes, personal injury cases, and property disputes. A lot of people skip judges races, but it's SO important. https://www.nawj.org/uploads/files/annual_conference/session_materials/under_attack/appellate_judges_and_the_informed_voter.pdfCounty AttorneyThe County Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor criminal cases (like they can decide whether to pursue low-level drug possession charges or not). They are in charge of protective orders for victims of domestic violence, and they also give legal advice to county officials.County Chair of the Democratic PartyThey are like the CEO of your county party. They set the tone for everything your local Democratic Party does -- whether your party meetings are consumed with pointless bickering or whether they are focused on training folks to go out into the community and turn out Democratic voters. Do they embrace diversity and new voices? Or are they perpetuating old power structures?County CommissionerThey control your county's tax rate and budget -- so how your county gets its money and how it spends it. They're in charge of deciding what we spend on roads and bridges, parks, emergency services, public safety. In Travis County, our commissioners recently decided to fund and hire our first-ever public defender for folks who can't afford their own attorney.County JudgeThe county judge is not actually a judge, but the county manager. They're the highest ranking person on the commissioners court (which is not actually a court). They are also the director of emergency management -- super important if you're in an area prone to, say, hurricanes and floods. County ConstablePerforms various law enforcement functions, including issuing traffic citationsServes warrants and civil papers such as subpoenas and temporary restraining ordersSherriffThey enforce the criminal laws of the state (or not - like deciding not to jail undocumented immigrants before SB4 made “sanctuary cities” illegal in TX), they manage the county jail, and regulate bail bondsmen. They set the tone for how their deputies handle cases, whether victims are taken seriously, and how mental health is addressed both in jails and among deputies.Tax Assessor-CollectorThey set property tax rates & collect taxes. You've been to the tax office to register a car, and maybe to register to vote. They decide how aggressively your county works to make sure everyone is registered to vote.
EDINBURG, Texas - Just as it did throughout 2019, the Rio Grande Valley outperformed the state of Texas for sales tax revenues during the current reporting period.The data on sales taxes is collated by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. The most recent report, for January 2020, covers sales tax revenues for November 2019. “Last year, the Valley outperformed the growth rate of the state by a two to one margin. The state grew by roughly four percent. Our growth rate in the region bounced around seven and eight percent. We had a really good performance,” said Matt Ruszczak, executive director of Rio South Texas Economic Council. Each month, Ruszczak analyzes the sales tax revenue figures for the RSTEC board of directors, the Rio Grande Guardian and 710 News Talk KURV. “Now we are looking at the January report, which reflects November’s sales and we see the same trends as 2019,” Ruszczak said. “If you look at the State of Texas’ number for the month of November, the growth was 3.86 percent, compared to the same month in 2018. A good, strong number when you consider inflation fluctuates around two percent. When you are growing at four percent you have good, healthy, growth. If you look at the Valley number over the four counties combined, our growth rate was 7.74 percent, compared to the same month in 2018.”Ruszczak said this represented “a good, good, strong number for the Valley.” Editor's Note: A full report on the latest sales tax revenue figures for the Rio Grande Valley can be found in the Rio Grande Guardian.
MCALLEN, RGV - Taxable retail sales were up seven percent in the Rio Grande Valley over the past year, says the executive director of Rio South Texas Economic Council.Based on statistics provide by the Texas Comptroller’s Office, Matt Ruszczak crunches the numbers to see how well the region is doing compared to the other parts of Texas. He says the Valley did very well, as compared to Texas as a whole.“Texas was up 4.71 percent. Nice strong growth,” Ruszczak said. “But the Valley’s growth was seven percent, year over year. Not only is that significantly stronger than that of the state as a whole, and a really good growth rate, in and of itself, it is also the second year in a row that we are in that seven percent range.”Looking at the numbers county by county, Ruszczak reports that between Nov. 1, 2018 and October 31, 2019, Cameron County’s taxable retail sales were up 4.15 percent. Willacy County’s taxable retail sales were up 2.28 percent. Hidalgo County’s taxable retail sales were up 8.39 percent. And Starr County’s taxable retail sales were up 8.07 percent.Of the 44 taxing communities in the Valley, 42 were up year over year. “That is a great statistic,” Ruszczak said. The two communities to show a dip in sales tax revenues were Progreso Lakes, down 2.4 percent, and Raymondville, down 2.09 percent.The above podcast provides a lot more analysis of the taxable retail sales for the Rio Grande Valley for the year between Nov. 1, 2018, and Oct. 31, 2019.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar talks about managing finances for the Lone Star State and for its citizens. Hegar describes the economic impact of NASA on the state of Texas based on a report drafted by the Comptroller's office. HWHAP Episode 122.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar talks about managing finances for the Lone Star State and for its citizens. Hegar describes the economic impact of NASA on the state of Texas based on a report drafted by the Comptroller's office. HWHAP Episode 122.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar talks about managing finances for the Lone Star State and for its citizens. Hegar describes the economic impact of NASA on the state of Texas based on a report drafted by the Comptroller's office. HWHAP Episode 122.
MCALLEN, RGV - Sales tax revenue collections across the Rio Grande Valley dipped in the most recent reporting period.However, Matt Ruszczak, who analyzes the figures, says there is no cause for alarm.The Rio South Texas Economic Council executive director said that when comparisons between the numbers for September 2019 and the numbers for September 2018 are looked at, a caveat should be introduced: September of 2018 was a stellar month that was always going to be hard to replicate.In the above podcast, Ruszczak also points out that there was one less Saturday in September 2019, as compared to September 2018.“I would not call it a screeching halt. When we look at the report from September of last year, it was so stellar, stunningly stellar; double-digit growth across most of the communities. And last August was nothing to sneeze at either. It was also a good report,” Ruszczak said.“Things have not necessarily slowed down. Things have stabilized. If you have stellar performing months, month after month after month, at some point the math will catch up with you because you are always comparing with the prior year.”The sales tax revenues are collated each month by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. The most recent report looked at the figures for September 2019. Ruszczak analyzes the figures by comparing the percentage increases or decreases with the same month a year ago.
MCALLEN, RGV - Matt Ruszczak, executive director of Rio South Texas Economic Council, fears he is beginning to sound like a broken record because the sales tax revenue reports he has given for the past few months all sound the same.The good thing, though, is that the message he is delivering is always positive - the Rio Grande Valley is outperforming the state of Texas as a whole when it comes to economic activity.“I am in danger of sounding like a broken record, which is a good problem to have because the report is once again positive. We are once again beating the performance of the state in our region,” Ruszczak told the Rio Grande Guardian.Ruszczak gets his numbers from the Texas Comptroller’s Office. All sales tax revenues must be reported to Comptroller Glenn Hegar in Austin and his office in turn distributes some of the collections back to municipalities.For the October report, which reflected sales tax activity in August, 2019, the State of Texas was up 3.89 percent over the same month in 2018. Ruszczak described this as “steady strong growth.”However, this figure was lower than that achieved by three of the four counties in the Rio Grande Valley. Cameron County was up 8.40 percent. Hidalgo County was up 5.84 percent. And Starr County was up 8.54 percent. The above podcast has more information about the sales tax revenues for the Rio Grande Valley, including a comparison with the counties of Webb and Nueces. For more information, click here.
ALAMO, RGV - Matt Ruszczak has confirmed that sales tax revenues continue to go up in the Rio Grande Valley.Looking at the latest numbers issued by the Texas Comptroller’s Office, the executive director of Rio South Texas Economic Council says the four-county Valley region experienced a 13.49 percent increase in sales tax collections in July, 2019 - as compared to the same month last year. “This is a very, very, very, good figure,” Ruszczak said.What makes the percentage increase even more impressive, Ruszczak said, is that there was one less Sunday in July 2019 than July 2018.Hidalgo County’s increase in sales tax revenues for July 2019 was up a whopping 16.79 percent, compared to the same month last year. Cameron County’s increase was up 12.89 percent, and Starr County’s increase was up by a huge 17.5 percent. Willacy County’s sales tax revenues for July 2019 were down 12.89 percent but Ruszczak said this county’s numbers have been fluctuating all year. He noted that year to date, Willacy County’s numbers were up 14 percent. “It looks like an aberration,” Ruszczak said. Across the Valley as a whole, the year to date increase in sales tax revenues is four percent.The July sales tax revenue figures for the state of Texas show a healthy increase of 9.35 percent. The increase for Nueces County is 8.86 percent, while the increase for Webb County is 9.21 percent.In the above podcast, Ruszczak also looks at individual cities in the Valley.
MCALLEN, RGV - The Rio Grande Valley continues to do well in sales tax revenues, Matt Ruszczak reports.Ruszczak, executive director of South Texas Economic Council, crunches the numbers each month to see if sales tax revenues are up or down, compared to the same time last year. He gets the numbers from the Texas Comptroller’s Office.The latest report focuses on sales tax revenues for June, 2019. Year-to-date, only three small communities in the Valley are performing worse than last year. Every other community is doing better. The Valley as a whole is up 7.67 percent, year-to-date, compared to the same period last year, while Texas as a whole is only up 4.19 percent over the same period. “These are highly impressive numbers,” Ruszczak reported. El Paso County’s sales tax revenues are up 4.87 percent compared to the same period last year. Maverick County’s sales tax revenues are up 4.43 percent compared to the same period last year. Val Verde County’s sales tax revenues are up 12.38 percent compared to the same period last year.Looking at individual cities in Cameron County for the month of June, Brownsville’s sales tax revenues were up 9.41 percent, Harlingen’s were up 5.31 percent, Port Isabel’s were up 8.85 percent, San Benito’s were up 8.39 percent, and South Padre Island’s were up 9.34 percent.Looking at individual cities in Hidalgo County for the month of June, Edinburg’s sales tax revenues were up 9.78 percent, McAllen’s were up 5.69 percent, Mercedes’ are up 19.69 percent, Mission’s were up 6.77 percent, Pharr’s were up 15.64 percent, and Weslaco’s were up 8.93 percent.In Willacy County, Raymondville’s sales tax revenues were up 3.48 percent in June. And in Starr County, Rio Grande City’s sales tax revenues are up 7.22 percent in June.Click on the podcast above to listen to the full report from Matt Ruszczak, executive director of South Texas Economic Council
SAN BENITO, RGV - Anchor Mario Muñoz and Reporter Steve Taylor look back at the top news stories for week-ending July 26, 2019.Among the topics covered are: A Facebook LIVE event with Ron Garza of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council and Sergio Contreras of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership;Business support for the ratification of USMCA; Ensuring a full and accurate Census 2020 count in the Rio Grande Valley; City of San Benito thanking state Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., and state Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, for passing legislation to help boost economic development;Texas Workforce Commission funding a summer camp for special needs students so they can learn how to fly drones, build robots and use Festo manufacturing equipment;Latest sales tax revenue figures collated by the Texas Comptroller’s Office and analyzed by Matt Ruszczak of Rio South Texas Economic Council.
ALAMO, RGV - Hidalgo County continues to lead the Rio Grande Valley in sales tax revenue growth, new statistics show.The Texas Comptroller’s Office collects sales taxes and redistributes them to cities and counties.The figures for May, 2019, compared to May, 2018, show Hidalgo County up 9.2 percent. This compares very favorably with the statewide average, which only showed a 0.3 percent increase over the same period.The figures for May, 2019, compared to May, 2018, show Starr County up 6.3 percent. Willacy County was up 2.1 percent over the same period, while Cameron County was down 2.3 percent over the same period.Webb County, which includes Laredo, was up 4.4 percent in May, 2019, as compared to May, 2018. Nieces County, which includes Corpus Christi, was up 6.7 percent in May, 2019, as compared to May, 2018.The numbers for the Rio Grande Valley, including all the major cities, were crunched by Matt Ruszczak, executive director of Rio South Texas Economic Council.In the attached podcast, Ruszczak does a deep dive into the numbers. He is interviewed by reporter Steve Taylor.
In this episode of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, host Shelby Skrhak sits down with Adam Jones, Strategic Governance Consultant for Weaver and owner of Capitol Jones Consulting Firm. Jones and Skrhak take a detailed look at how the state of Texas is fairing economically in 2019. In Jones' eyes, it's one of the best in the United States, and the numbers don't lie. As he puts it, compared to the rest of the nation, the Texas economy just “rocks," and is extremely diverse. Texas proved itself to be a LIFO, or "last in first out" economy, meaning the last to be in and first to be out of the national recession, and is only continuing its march upward. It’s the only state in the union that can “produce citrus fruit and winter wheat in abundance” as well as lead in other markets, including energy and the manufacturing sector. And that’s not all that’s thriving. The most recent Dallas Fed projection shows Texas at a 2.4 percent employment growth. Though Texas sees that as a “cooling” of the economy, compared to other states it's a solid number and is a sign of a healthy economy. For context, the Texas Comptroller’s economic projection for the next biennium was originally pretty bleak at a $0 budget surplus, but is now seeing a revised projection of a $2.8 billion surplus. In addition to the $2.8 billion, there’s also an economic stabilization fund, or “rainy day fund," sitting at a historic $15 billion. This puts the legislature on pretty good footing, and has a pretty decent fall back, according to Jones. For more information about Texas’ current economy, including the spot price of oil, and how Texas continues to recover after Hurricane Harvey, give this episode of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers a listen.
The SALT Show Episode 37 (Update for Week of December 10, 2018) On this week's episode: • A sit down with Karey Barton, Associate Deputy Texas Comptroller for Tax Links to share the podcast with colleagues: bakerbotts.com, iTunes, Stitcher, GooglePlay
Join us to hear Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar talk about faith, family, football, the Texas economy, and the many responsibilities of the Texas Comptroller’s office that affect Texans each and every day. Subscribe to the Trey Blocker Show's channels: YouTube: https://bit.ly/2GSAaMf Facebook: https://bit.ly/2XpVPQW Instagram: https://bit.ly/2T1mgOh Twitter: https://bit.ly/2NugBdM SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2BZbWvM iTunes: https://apple.co/2knXGoW iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/2TeGYdW
Native Opinon Episode 120 “MR. SERLING, IF YOU ONLY KNEW.” How To Reach Our Show: E-Mail: hosts@nativeopinion.com Twitter: @nativeopinion Facebook: facebook.com/nativeopinionpodcast/ Our Website: nativeopinion.com Our Youtube Channel: https://www.Youtube.com/c/NativeOpinion Leave us a voice mail. Call us! 860–381–0207 Listen LIVE every Friday night, 9pm Eastern Standard Time Through Our Website or via the SPREAKER APP Our Podcast is availible: I-tunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher, i-Heart Radio, and Spotify…or wherever you get your favorite podcasts from… Articles Featured in this episode: ARTICLE 1: TITLE: American Indian teens head to Vatican, hoping to overturn historic papal decrees Mitch Walking Elk and his students are unlikely Vatican visitors. But if all goes as planned, they will meet with Vatican officials in May with a plea: “Rescind the historic papal decrees that justified the domination of native peoples.” These 500-year-old decrees are at the center of a surprising flurry of faith-based activism and interest in the Twin Cities, home to one of the nation’s largest urban American Indian populations. Critics charge they formed the basis of the so-called Doctrine of Discovery, which asserted that the people and wealth of non-Christian lands belonged to those who “discovered” them. Its legacy shapes federal Indian policy to this day and haunts Indians’ well-being, they say. READ MORE ARTICLE 2 TITLE: Cambridge Analytica Execs Bragged Of Using Fake News, Sex To Sway Elections Disturbing undercover interviews with executives from U.K.-based political research firm Cambridge Analytica have revealed admissions of bribery, entrapment and the use of sex workers to sway political elections around the world, according to an investigative series airing Monday. The results of a months’ long investigation by Britain’s Channel 4 News revealed Cambridge Analytica’s inner workings as told by Alexander Nix, the company’s chief executive, and Mark Turnbull, the managing director of CA Political Global, to a reporter posing as a client. The interviews are part of Channel 4 News’ “Data, Democracy and Dirty Tricks”, investigation series. During phone calls and in-person meetings at a London hotel from November 2017 to January 2018, Nix was recorded bragging that his firm and parent company Strategic Communications Laboratories (SCL) secretly influenced more than 200 elections around the world, including those in Nigeria, Kenya, the Czech Republic, India and Argentina. READ MORE ARTICLE 3 TITLE: Court Rules That Medical Marijuana Card Holders Can’t Buy Firearms If you have a medical marijuana card, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says that you can’t buy a gun. The court ruled 3–0 on Wednesday that a ban preventing medical marijuana card holders from purchasing firearms is not in violation of the Second Amendment, the Associated Press reports. There are nine western states under the appeals court’s jurisdiction, including Nevada, where the case originated. A lawsuit was filed in 2011 by Nevada resident S. Rowan Wilson after she tried to purchase a gun for self-defense and was denied based on a federal ban on the sale of guns to users of illegal drugs. Though marijuana has been legalized in some places on a state-by-state basis, it remains illegal under federal law. The court maintained that drug use “raises the risk of irrational or unpredictable behavior with which gun use should not be associated.” READ MORE ARTICLE 4 TITLE: Public lands are being sold in secret on the internet Ayers Energy LLC is, ostensibly, an energy company based out of either Bedford, Texas, or Cheyenne, Wyoming, depending on what day you look at the results of the Bureau of Land Management’s most recent oil and gas auction. Public information about the company is scarce: It’s not listed as a taxable entity by the Texas Comptroller, and doesn’t appear to be a registered corporation in the state of Texas or Wyoming. In fact, a search for Ayers Energy through Vigilant, a public records database, did not yield any registration records for the company in any state. On March 21, Ayers’ address — according to federal documents — was listed as on Pecan Bend Drive in Bedford, Texas. As of March 22, that address had changed to Central Ave in Cheyenne. But, despite the vague and ever-changing information about Ayers Energy LLC, the company, as of March 20, owns the rights to pursue oil and gas development on 19 parcels of federally-owned lands in San Juan County, Utah, just outside of the boundary of Hovenweep National Monument. READ MORE ARTICLE 5 TITLE: TV station’s closed captioning slurs Austin bombing victim Draylen Mason as “this monkey” A Texas television station has cut ties with a vendor after closed captioning used racist language to insult a black victim of the Austin bomber. Local ABC affiliate KVUE-TV reported Tuesday night on the death of 17-year-old Draylen Mason, who was identified in closed captioning as “this monkey,” reported the Statesman. The station blamed VITAC, an outside company that provides live captioning to KVUE newscasts, and on Thursday terminated its contract with the firm. “We are taking this mistake very seriously and we are heartsick about this terrible error,” KVUE said in a statement. “We apologize to Draylen’s family and to our community. We have demanded an explanation and an apology to Draylen’s family, and VITAC is complying.” READ MORE ARTICLE 6 TITLE: Congress’s new $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill, explained On Wednesday night, congressional leaders unveiled the “omni”: a massive 2,232-page, $1.3 trillion spending bill covering everything from defense to border security to opioids. In Congress, a spending bill spanning multiple budget areas is known as an “omnibus.” On Thursday, the House and Senate passed the bill. If signed by President Trump, the legislation will keep the government open through September 30, giving us at least six months without a major budgetary showdown. READ MORE ARTICLE 6 Poll: Native Americans See Far More Discrimination In Areas Where They Are A Majority More than half of Native Americans living on tribal lands or other majority-Native areas say they have experienced racial or ethnic discrimination when interacting with police (55 percent) and applying for jobs (54 percent). That’s according to new poll results being released Tuesday by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. SEE THE FULL POLL HERE
Bloomberg View columnist Barry Ritholtz interviews Ellen Zentner, the chief U.S. economist at Morgan Stanley. She explains why Texas came through the financial crisis so well, courtesy of its rainy day fund. Her career took her from the Texas Comptroller's office to Morgan Stanley, where she leads the North American Economics group. She said starting in government gave her time to think “deep thoughts” and develop her analytical approach.
Eyes Wide Open: DemBlogTalk on BlogTalk USA (and visit DemBlogNews) for current events in the news and politics as well as updates and analysis on both sides of the political isle as we journey along the campaign trail to Election 2016! Tonight: Mike Collier, the 2014 Dem nominee for Texas Comptroller, will join us. The Republican Tx Comptroller, who won in 2014, just released his state audit report and Mike will give us the details on the state of the state's fiscal health. Karen Jacobs, the 2016 Dem state Rep nominee for house district 33, will also join our discussion to discuss her big Super Tuesday victory, and what lies ahead for the "Jacobs for Texas" campaign! http://www.blogtalkusa.com/
Eyes Wide Open welcomes a very proud Texas Democrat and dedicated public servant, Mike Collier. In 2014 Mike threw his hat into the ring to run for Texas Comptroller. Soon after the campaign came to a close he embarked on his latest venture, the 2015 Texas "listen tour" which spanned the first half of this year. Mike will share the details on his experiences with Texas politics and his thoughts on the issues and candidates for the Texas and National Election in 2016! The GOP has mastered the art of the clear, concise, bumper sticker style talking point. And, they have created an echo-chamber of confirmation bias, where from top to bottom the republican talking points are parroted out and saturate the conciousness of the right, even when the talking points are incorrect and/or would translate to horrible policy in the real world. Democrats could learn from the GOP when it comes to messaging. Imagine the success we would have if we were more unified and systematic in delivering the progressive values, priorities and policies we believe in! Mike has many excellent ideas on messaging, branding and being proud of who we are and what we stand for as Democrats! He will share those ideas and much more tonight! Please Check out Michael Handley's Blog,DemBlogNews!
This week on Eyes Wide Open our guest is fellow Texan and dedicated public servant, Mike Collier. In 2014 Mike threw his hat into the ring to run for Texas Comptroller. Soon after the campaign came to a close he embarked on his latest venture, the 2015 Texas "listen tour" which spanned the first half of this year. Mike will share the details on his experiences with Texas politics and his thoughts on the issues and candidates for the Texas and National Election in 2016! Please Check out Michael Handley's Blog, DemBlogNews! Listen to Dr. Shirley McKellar's announcement speech right here!
This two minutes can save you $150. No... This IS NOT an auto insurance commercial or a commercial of any kind. It's a genuine tip to use that can save you some significant money on a new bike, treadmill or other exercise equipment.A couple of things to check out to support what I am saying in this quick (2 minute) podcast drop...Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts STAR System Tax Code Reference: http://aixtcp.cpa.state.tx.us/opendocs/open13/9403195l.htmleHow "How To" On this: http://www.ehow.com/how_6002900_prescription-exercise-equipment.htmGive episode 5 a listen to hear more about the resolution challenge I talk about here and do me a HUGE favor and head over to iTunes, subscribe, listen and LEAVE US A REVIEW! We're on Stitcher as well and you can do the same there. It's all I want for Christmas!
Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, talks about the many duties of the Comptroller's office.
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