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Report Card

  • IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Most legislators receive failing grade on anti-toll Report Card
     Both bills filed and bills that moved meant bad news for taxpayers, drivers Austin, Texas - Anti-toll watchdog group Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom (TURF) released its Report Card from the 86th Legislature today. In comparison to the prior session in 2017, where 57% of legislators were considered friendly, in 2019, that number fell to just 19% (based on the number of lawmakers who earned 'A's & 'B's). TURF used 18 different transportation, property rights, and good government bills (that impact those first two issues) to calculate each legislator's score, all of which are listed at the end of its Report Card. Every lawmaker was informed of TURF's position on the bill prior to the vote. 

    The Texas House went off a cliff in terms of friendly legislators, with 73% earning a failing grade. In the Texas Senate, taxpayers fared much better with 45% of senators earning As & Bs. Just 16 total lawmakers earned an 'A.' Compare that to 56 lawmakers in 2017, and anti-toll voters have cause for concern.

    "While none of our anti-toll reform bills ever got a vote either in committee or on the floor this session, the bills that did move were a disaster for taxpayers. The House Transportation Committee, including most every Republican, clearly wanted to raise your taxes on driving with six bills to increase fines & fees whether registration fees, local sales tax, or traffic fines in 'safety corridors,'" points out TURF Founder/Director Terri Hall. 

  • 'F' Bombshell: 49% of Texas legislature fails to protect taxpayers from tolls, fines, fee increases, & new debt

    While we shared with you the good, the bad and ugly from the 87th regular session here    , TURF analyzed 15 bills that received record votes (both good and bad bills) to determine its Report Card, and the results may shock you.

     
    In 2017, 57% of lawmakers earned As & Bs, and in 2019, 19% of lawmakers hit that mark. So imagine our disappointment that in 2021 that number dropped to just 8%.
     
    In the Texas House,69 of the 150 members earned an 'F,'and 19 of 31 members of the Texas Senate got a failing grade.This is the first time since Lt Gov Dan Patrick took office that the senate scored worse than the House. Put another way, 46% of the House earned an 'F' while 61% of senators earned an 'F.'
     
    Every member was forewarned before any record vote took place. So check out what grade your lawmakers earned and hold them accountable. With redistricting set to go into full swing on Monday as lawmakers are called back for a 3rd special session, make sure they hear from you, and, if necessary, start looking for quality candidates. 

    The stand-out anti-toll champions for the session are: Senator Bob Hall, Rep. Kyle Biedermann, Rep. Jeff Cason, Rep. Matt Schaefer, Rep. Bryan Slaton, Rep. Matt Shaheenand Rep.Valoree Swanson.
     
     

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