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May 6, 2020
Title: Sales Tax Revenue Down: Time to Tighten the Belt
Topic: Texas Budget
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
From a recent Press Release from the TPPF:
“As sales tax revenues are a primary funding source for the state of Texas,
the need to tighten the state budget becomes even more clear, especially as a
surge in unemployment benefits will be costly.”
Former Texas State Representative Talmadge Heflin served as chairman of the
House Committee on Appropriations in the 78th Legislative Session and navigated
a state budget shortfall without a tax increase. Talmadge is now the Director of
TPPF’s Center for Fiscal Policy.
More can be found
here.
Questions/Issues Discussed:
Have sales tax receipts been significantly less during March 2020 compared to
2019? Could this be a result of the Coronavirus shut down?
Is there a need for an emergency special session? Is there a mechanism already
in place to handle shortfalls?
Talmadge uses the phrase “spin forward”. What does this mean regarding
the budget?
What collateral is required when cities, counties, local school districts buy
bonds?
If the Democrats take the House and Senate in 2020, what will happen to our
taxes in Texas? Do they want a state income tax?
Can all cities in Texas expect to have a significant shortfall in the coming
months?
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January 20, 2017
Title: The New Texas Budget
Topic: Texas Politics
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
As a household, you must prepare your monthly expenses.
Whether you use a budget or not, you know how much money you have and
how much you will need. Our great State is run in the same manner. In fact, the
Texas Constitution states that the Legislature cannot spend more than what is
estimated to be available.
The Honorable Talmadge Heflin, the Director of the Center for Fiscal Policy at
the Texas Public Policy Foundation, will be discussing the next Texas
Budget today. He served as chairman of the House Committee on appropriations in
the 78th Session, so he definitely knows What’s UP in regards to making – and
sticking to – a budget.
Questions/Issues Discussed:
The Texas House and Senate have each released their versions of the next Texas
Budget for 2018 and 2019. What targets must they not exceed?
Was the current leadership of the House and Senate given direction from the
Governor’s and Lt. Governor’s offices last year? And if so, why?
Are the proposed budgets from the House and Senate draconian or workable in
today’s economic environment?
When the MSM complains that the Republicans are “cutting funding for
healthcare and education”, you can now tell them: “No they aren’t!”
Share this interview on Facebook and Twitter so all your friends and followers
know the truth!
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July 11, 2016
Title: Zero Base Budgeting
Topic: Texas Politics
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Cutting four percent from budgets and adopting a zero base budgeting
proposal would add transparency to the budget process. Former
State Representative Talmadge Heflin is now with the Texas Public Policy
Foundation. During the 78th Legislative Session, Representative Heflin
served as Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, where he navigated
a $10 billion state budget shortfall through targeted spending cuts that allowed
Texans to avoid a tax increase. Today, he will be discussing money issues in
Texas and what needs to be done for the future.
Questions/Issues Discussed:
Why does the Texas Legislature only meet every other year, and then for only 140
days?
Are various committees of the Texas House and Senate meeting now preparing for
the next legislative session which begins in January 2017?
Does the Texas constitution require a balanced budget?
Looking ahead to the next budget, are projected revenues down from the current
budget?
Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Joe
Straus have asked the various Texas agencies to prepare new appropriation
requests with a four percent cut and to be prepared to discuss zero-based
budgeting per program. Listen in as Talmadge Heflin discusses which is best for
true transparency and what you can do in the meantime as you meet with
candidates who will be deciding our financial future.
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January 20, 2015
Title: Texas Budget
Topic: Texas Government Spending
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
The Honorable
Talmadge Heflin, Director of the Center for Fiscal Policy at the Texas Public
Policy Foundation, explains how different departments submit their request for
money. Most high-ball the amount, knowing they will never get as much as they
petition for. This is why so many in the education field, for
example, cry foul every year because the lawmakers “cut their budget”. No, they
didn’t “cut” anything; they simply said “you don’t need that much”!
Talmadge served as chairman of the Texas House Committee on appropriations
during the 78th legislative session. The legislature that session had about $10
billion less to spend that year than the previous one. He discusses how they
were able to do this. It was hard, but they buckled down and got it done!
Listen in as Talmadge also explains the “Penny Plan” and why it should
be implemented in every state and especially for the national budget. Fro
more information click [here].
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April 11, 2014
Title: Tax Relief
Topic: Tax Relief
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Homeowners in Texas
are fed up with high property taxes. Many say it is time for some
relief.
But, let’s take it a step further and give consumers a break on sales tax, too!
Listen in as Talmadge Heflin discusses this hot topic.
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January 9, 2014
Title: Why is Texas on Top?
Topic: Texas Model: Low Taxes, Low Spending, Less Regulation
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Part 1 of 2
According to a recent report,
the Texas economy added 28,700 net new jobs in November 2013, the second largest
employment increase of any state in the nation. Plus, the Lone Star State has
added more jobs year-over-year (+274,200) than any other state and has seen the
2nd largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment growth (+2.5
percent), behind only North Dakota (+4.0 percent).
Talmadge discusses why Texas is a leading economic stronghold and how we can
stay that way.
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Title: Part 2 of 2
Topic: Texas Model: Low Taxes, Low Spending, Less Regulation
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Obamacare has cast a dark shadow
over everyone, especially small business owners. However, with more businesses
choosing to relocate to Texas every day, the future still looks bright.
Sound off! Go to the comment section at the top of this page to voice
your opinion about the future of Texas businesses. Your comment or suggestion
just might get read on air!
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February 1, 2013
Title: Governor Perry’s Plan to Give it All Back
Topic: Taxes and Government Spending
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Part 1 of 2
Texas is on the right track. We have a great, booming economy.
Terrific schools (for the most part). And people are moving to Texas every day to be a part of that. Talmadge Heflin has been on the inside of the system and is here today to give some insight on why Texas has a surplus and how they did it when so many other states are suffering so terribly.
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Title: Part 2 of 2
Topic: Taxes and Government Spending
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Governor Perry knows to run a family, you must have a budget to save, spend, and give.
He uses that same philosophy with the State of Texas. So, what’s his plan and what does it mean for you and your family?
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October 24, 2012
Title: Unemployment Status of Texas!
Topic: Employment
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Part 1 of 2
What is the current
unemployment rate in Texas?
Why is the unemployment rate so much lower than other states?
How many new jobs has Texas added in the last year?
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Title: Part 2 of 2
Topic: Employment
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
What is Texas doing
that is working in this area?
If these things were implemented in other states or in the nation as a whole,
what could that mean for the current economic and job situation in America?
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April 5, 2011
Title: Governments are out of money. Can we continue spending?
Topic: Government Spending
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Can our elected officials continue to cast a blind eye towards
outdated government programs, duplicated services, and unnecessary government
expenses? Must we do government differently? The Honorable
Talmadge Heflin, who served 11 terms in the Texas legislature, joins us
discussing ways to review expenditures in light of our tough economic times.
Families and businesses have had to reduce expenditures. It’s now time for
government to get with the program. For more information please visit
www.TexasPolicy.com.
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February 11, 2011
Title: Close An Agency – but Keep the Annual Fee Paid By Texas Motorists: Wrong!
Topic: Shell Game
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Republican Leadership Trying To Pull Fast One. Former State Representative Talmedge Heflin sounds the alarm. Texas Republican Leadership proposes closing
the Texas Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority but keeping the $1
per year fee on all insured motorists that pays for it!
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January 20, 2011
Title: Understanding the Texas State Budget Process
Topic: Texas State Budget Process
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Understanding the Texas State Budget Process. Former Representative Talmadge
Heflin who served eleven terms in the Texas House and who chaired the House
Appropriations Committee in 2003, leading the Texas Legislature’s successful
efforts to close a $10 billion budget deficit without a tax increase in 2003,
joins us to explain the Texas State Budget Process.
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October 22, 2010
Title: Perry Touts the Success of
Topic: Model: Low Taxes, Low Spending, Less Regulation
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Segment
1 of 2
Research reveals Texas is in the Driver’s Seat when comes to creating new jobs.
Where would America be without Texas? Can Texans teach other states a thing or
two? You Bet!
But what must we do to insure our elected officials stay focused on keeping our
taxes lower and even driving them lower? What must we do to insure our elected
officials keep spending low? And, what must we do to hog tie all elected
officials and keep them from regulating us to death?
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Title: Perry Touts the Success of
Topic: Texas Model: Low Taxes, Low Spending, Less Regulation
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Segment 2 of 2
To keep the Texas economy heading in the right direction, should we insist that
our elected officials:
a. Balance the Texas budget without raising taxes?
b. Must Texas reduce its dependency on federal funds?
c. Do we a need a Texas T.A.B.O.R. amendment to control the growth of government
spending
d. Should our elected officials understand that ‘government is the problem’ so
get out of the way and let the private sector keep on keeping on.
Should our listeners, who may not have voted yet, remember three things: Texans
should only vote for candidates that pledge:
1. No new taxes.
2. Keep spending
low
And
3. No new regulations like Cap and Trade!
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July 8, 2010
Title: FUNDING WITHOUT RAISING TAXES - IT IS POSSIBLE! Part 1 of 2
Topic: Transportation and mobility issues
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
In 2009, the 2030 Committee (a committee of 12 community leaders charged with providing an independent authoritative assessment of the state’s transportation infrastructure) issued a grim forecast for the state’s transportation system. For more on this issue, visit www.TexasPolicy.com
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Title: FUNDING WITHOUT RAISING TAXES - IT IS POSSIBLE! Part 2 of 2
Topic: Transportation and mobility issues
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
The Texas Policy Foundation has crafted 5 recommendations to help policymakers prioritize state and local resources to address the state’s mobility needs, without raising taxes. Check it out at www.TexasPolicy.com
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February 15, 2010
Title: LET ME HEAR YOU SAY IT: “NO MORE PROPERTY TAX!” Part 1 of 2
Topic: Property Tax Relief
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Should the Texas Legislature consider eliminating property taxes? If the property tax is eliminated, the Texas Legislatures could then say: “Okay. We abolished the property tax. Here’s a new one.” So what are we to do? Talmadge Heflin is the former Chair of the Texas House Appropriations Committee and current Director of the Center for Fiscal Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Log on to www.TexasPolicy.com for more on this issue.
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Title: LET ME HEAR YOU SAY IT: “NO MORE PROPERTY TAX!” Part 2 of 2
Topic: Property Tax Relief
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Some argue that eliminating the property tax in Texas would cut jobs; others disagree. If you would like more information on this and other issues affecting the day-to-day lives of Texans, log on to www.TexasPolicy.com
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January 26, 2009
Title: SPENDING PRIORITIES Part 1 of 2
Topic: Taxes and Government Spending
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Who decides how to spend our tax dollars in Texas? Who much of the budget is discretionary? Former State Representative Talmadge Heflin discusses these issues and others. Log onto www.TexasPolicy.org for more.
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Title: SPENDING PRIORITIES Part 2 of 2
Topic: Taxes and Government Spending
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Who decides how to spend our tax dollars in Texas? Who much of the budget is discretionary? Former State Representative Talmadge Heflin discusses these issues and others. Log onto www.TexasPolicy.org for more.
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November 20, 2008
Title: LIMIT STATE SPENDING NOW!
Topic: Taxes and Government Spending
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Will the Elected Officials in Texas spend like “drunken sailors”? Or, will they be wise with our money? Guest Talmadge Heflin is with the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Log onto www.texaspolicy.org for more.
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July 9, 2008
Title: Great New Website: www.TexasBudgetSource.com
Topic: Taxes and Government Spending
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Arm yourself with information to fight government spending. Visit www.TexasBudgetSource.com
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April 15, 2008
Title: Are we willing to pay more sales taxes for a reduction in property taxes? Good Question!
Topic: Property Tax Relief
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
According to the Texas Task Force on Appraisal Reform, the average increase in a single-family residential tax bill over a four your period was almost 46%, climbing from an average of $2,151 to $3,138. How much more can we afford?
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May 3, 2006
Title: WILL THE NEW TAX BILL HELP OR HURT AMERICANS?
Topic: Special Session of the Texas Legislature
Discussed by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)
Are Republicans using "tax-class-warfare" to push through a huge tax increase? Right now, businesses do not pay taxes - their consumers and employees do. To contact your Elected Representatives, use the link on our home page.
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