With three weeks remaining before the legislative session ends, TexasBudgetSource.com is closely watching the progress of bills that improve financial transparency and give taxpayers greater access to see how their tax dollars are being spent. Listed below are some of those items.

Tax & Spending Transparency

House Bill 2291 by Rep. Dan Gattis et al. - Proposes to make the tax rate adoption process more transparent and better inform property owners of property tax increases.
Last Action: 05/11/2009 S Referred to Finance

Amendment to Amendment No. 111 to House Bill 300 by Rep. Ken Paxton - This measure would require certain regional tollway authorities to undergo an annual audit and maintain an online check register.
Last Action: 05/11/2009 H Passed as amended

Ballot Language Transparency

House Bill 1366 by Rep. Jim Jackson et al. - Reforms the ballot language for tax and bond elections for hospital districts to include more descriptive and clearer information.
Last Action: 05/04/2009 S Referred to Intergovernmental Relations

House Bill 3184 by Rep. Jim Jackson - Requires a local taxing entity requesting a bond issuance or tax increase to use ballot language that includes specific totals about the amount being called for.
Last Action: 05/11/2009 H Comm. report sent to Local & Consent Calendar

Higher Education Transparency

House Bill 2504 by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst et al. - Bill would require higher ed. institutions to post the course syllabus, instructor's vitae, and a departmental budget report online.
Last Action: 05/11/2009 S Referred to Higher Education

SB 174 by Sen. Florence Shapiro et al. - States that all higher education institutions post an online resume and submit it to the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Last Action: 05/11/2009 H Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

Multimedia

Hear State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst speak about House Bill 2504 and the need for more transparency in higher education: