Austin Journal Report News
Property and business tax burdens keep Texas out of top 10 tax climate rating: 'Property taxes are high and the average burden for state and local sales tax is 8.2%'
By Austin Journal Report | Nov 30, 2022
The Tax Foundation recently released its list of the top 10 State Business Tax Climate Index for 2023 and Texas remained at 13 possibly indicating there is room for growth. From last year, the two categories to change were sales taxes and property taxes, both dropping by 1 in the Tax Foundation’s rankings (all categories are ranked 1-50). State sales taxes now ranks 37 out of 50 and state property taxes ranks 38 out of 50.
Abbott orders officials to increase efforts to combat border crisis: 'Texas guardsmen and troopers must bear the burden of securing the border'
By Austin Journal Report | Nov 25, 2022
Gov. Greg Abbott recently ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Texas Military Department (TMD) to step up their efforts to combat the growing illegal immigration along the Texas-Mexico border.
Peacock: 'Texas politicians, the public and the media have no model of how an electric grid ruled by market prices would compare to the scenarios offered by E3'
By Austin Journal Report | Nov 21, 2022
Energy Alliance Policy Director Bill Peacock discussed the state of the modern energy market in an interview with the Austin Journal.
Miracle dog seeks forever home: 'She deserves a family who can appreciate all that she has to offer'
By Austin Journal Report | Nov 21, 2022
Quinn, a 4-year-old blue nose pit bull, was found tied to a tree on the side of a road in Austin, Texas last August. She was dehydrated, underweight and was wearing a diaper. Beside her was a handwritten note from her owner, explaining she had an infection of her "repro organs” and was in pain, and asked if someone could drive her to the shelter. Luckily, good Samaritans found Quinn and rushed her to Prairie Creek Animal Hospital where they discovered a life-threatening health condition.
Huffines Liberty Foundation: ‘Florida serves as one example of how the Texas Legislature could reduce property taxes’
By Austin Journal Report | Nov 17, 2022
A recent research paper written by the Huffines Liberty Foundation analyzed the difference in property tax rates between Texas and comparable states, such as Florida. Don Huffines and Bill Peacock wrote that several websites say the property tax rate on owner-occupied homes is the sixth highest.
Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO argues character, not DEI, should be considered when hiring college instructors
By Austin Journal Report | Nov 17, 2022
Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO, Greg Sindelar, argued against universities requiring employee Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements and valuing faculty candidates by their race and sex over their ability and work experience in a Nov. 8 Washington Times article.
PUC commissioner on possible electricity market redesign: 'Texas must maintain year-round reliability under all weather conditions'
By Austin Journal Report | Nov 9, 2022
Reports indicate that the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) is on the verge of considering a redesign of the Texas electricity market. In July 2021, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote a letter directing the PUC to begin work on redesigning the market. Energy market spectators are wary of the potential shifts saying that the reliability of Texas electricity "may get worse before it gets better."
Service Dogs Inc. to ‘turn more strays into stars’ with Mighty Texas Dog Walk
By Austin Journal Report | Nov 5, 2022
The annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Camp Mabry parade grounds. Named “The Doggiest Day In Austin,” the Mighty Texas Dog Walk is a staple of Austin’s nationally recognized dog-loving culture and is known for its Guinness World Records. To date, the event has fetched 10 Guinness World Records including “Most Dogs Walked,” “Largest Fur Ball,” and “Largest Cake for Dogs.”