Talmadge Heflin is the Director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's Center for Fiscal Policy.
For 11 terms, Talmadge served the people of Harris County as a state representative. Well regarded as a legislative leader on budget and tax issues by Democratic and Republican speakers alike, he for several terms was the only House member to serve on both the Ways and Means and Appropriations committees.
In the 78th Session, Talmadge served as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. He navigated a $10 billion state budget shortfall through targeted spending cuts that allowed Texans to avoid a tax increase.
Originally from Webster Parish, Louisiana, Talmadge has been a resident of Houston for over 35 years. Prior to his legislative service, he was a member of the Board of trustees at Alief Independent School District. He is past president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, a member of numerous local civic organizations, serves as a deacon at First Baptist Church Alief, and is a member of the board of the West Houston Medical Center. He is also the namesake of Talmadge L. Heflin Elementary School in Alief, which opened in 1982 in honor of his service to Alief ISD.
Testimony before the House Select Committee on Fiscal Stability
August 23, 2010
Testimony before the House Select Committee on Fiscal Stability outlining the Foundation's recommendations on how to address the fiscal and economic challenges facing Texas.
Last year, Texas’ metropolitan transit authorities (MTAs) spent more than $4 billion of your transportation tax dollars. If you’re curious to know why, how, or on what, good luck.
Coming off a recession year, you can expect that Texans will be in no mood to see the next Legislature simply raise taxes and move on. Instead, expectations are high that lawmakers will balance the budget by tightening their belt—just as many households have already done.
Money from the federal government is often thought of as “free,” but, nothing could be further from the truth. The prevalence of federal funds has been shown to adversely affect a state’s economy, increase state government spending, and lead to a decline in state tax revenues.
The Texas Legislature and our last two governors have acted in good faith to reduce property taxes, but the combination of rising property valuations and local government excesses have caused property taxes to continue their surge. So what can our state do to relieve this burden?
A review of the 81st Texas Legislature’s work on tax and expenditure limits, spending and budget appropriations, financial transparency, and tax reform and tax cuts.
Legislature Should End Transportation Funding Diversions
May 21, 2009
Under SB 855, Texas drivers could soon be walloped by higher gas taxes. If transportation funding really is in a state of crisis however, the state should first end the practice of diversions.
This letter expresses the Foundation's concerns regarding pending legislation that would index the state's current gasoline tax and create a new 10-cent "local option" gasoline tax, potentially raising gas taxes by 125%.
An Analysis of Existing Local Transportation Funding Tools
Local governments already have a powerful array of transportation tools at their disposal—one of which is a transit authority, which a local community can create and fund by dedicating a portion of its local sales tax revenue to it.
Just how much money should Texas businesses pay under the newly revised franchise tax? That is the question many legislators are trying to answer and one that will soon be up for serious debate.
As we move forward, Texas’ continued commitment to limited government, fiscal conservatism, and low taxation, both in times of excess and shortage, will only strengthen what is, arguably, the nation’s strongest economy.
While Texas taxpayers are busy earning a living, taking care of their families, and paying their taxes, they deserve to know that their tax dollars are being used judiciously by the state and local governments that are spending them.
The Case for Converting from Property Taxes to Sales Taxes
March 28, 2008
As a matter of policy, the "best" tax is one that does the least possible harm to the economy and to its citizens. With this in mind, lawmakers should continue to focus on delivering tax relief, while shifting from property taxes to consumption-based taxes for the long term.
Despite $14 billion in new revenue coming into the state’s coffers, any notion that the legislature will be measured by how it treats hardworking Texas taxpayers has been forgotten. Some lawmakers who wrapped themselves in the flag of limited government, limited spending, and low taxes during their election campaigns have removed it from display now that they are in Austin.
Texans need to understand that as long as current state spending increases at the low rate already proposed, a vote to exceed the constitutional spending cap is a vote for promised tax relief…and nothing more.
Approaches to Establishing the Starting Point for the State Budget
November 13, 2006
This perspective examines the various approaches to establishing the starting point for the state's budget and which processes ensure the most efficient use of taxpayers' investment in state government.
The Legislature, and state government, is to serve Texans as taxpayers--producers and property owners who shoulder the real responsibility for enhancing our standard of living. With well-defined state and agency missions, that mission will be better satisfied.
This perspective outlines proposed principles for determining budget priorities, providing certain criteria for legislators to use when faced with hard decisions and limited funds in the state's budget writing process.
Overspending the Biennial Budget in Texas: Appropriation vs. Expenditure
January 26, 2006
First in a Series of Reports Examining the State Budget
This Policy Brief is the first in a series of reports examining the state's budget. Specifically, this report focuses on overspending of the biennial budget and delves into the issue of state accountability for tax dollars spent.
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