HB 5 by Hunter: Corporate Welfare Revival

PRO-TAXPAYER POSITION
Oppose
Senate Journal Page: 2569

HB 5 seeks to create a new program under the guise of economic development to attract jobs and investment to Texas through school district property tax abatements. In the 87th Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature sought fit to not continue the now-ended Chapter 313 tax abatement program, a system that lacked accountability and transparency. Tax abatements merely shift the tax burden to those who do not qualify for such abatements. If Texas lawmakers truly want to ensure that Texas’ economy remains strong, they would spend their efforts ensuring that all Texans benefit from a low regulation and low tax environment. Government should not be in the business of stealing from taxpayers to give corporate welfare in the form of tax abatements. This practice is antithetical to free enterprise and TFR opposes all subsidies and corporate welfare.

PRO-TAXPAYER POSITION
Oppose
Vote Breakdown:
27
4
  • Pro-Taxpayer
  • Anti-Taxpayer
  • Absent
  • Speaker
  • Absent, Excused
  • Present, not voting
  • Not Applicable
LegislatorDistrictPartyVote
Carol Alvarado
6 Democrat
X
Paul Bettencourt
7 Republican
X
Brian Birdwell
22 Republican
X
César Blanco
29 Democrat
X
Donna Campbell
25 Republican
X
Brandon Creighton
4 Republican
X
Sarah Eckhardt
14 Democrat
X
Pete Flores
24 Republican
X
Roland Gutierrez
19 Democrat
Check
Bob Hall
2 Republican
Check
Kelly Hancock
9 Republican
X
Juan Hinojosa
20 Democrat
X
Joan Huffman
17 Republican
X
Bryan Hughes
1 Republican
X
Nathan Johnson
16 Democrat
X
Phil King
10 Republican
X
Lois Kolkhorst
18 Republican
Check
Morgan LaMantia
27 Democrat
X
José Menéndez
26 Democrat
X
Mayes Middleton
11 Republican
Check
Borris Miles
13 Democrat
X
Robert Nichols
3 Republican
X
Tan Parker
12 Republican
X
Angela Paxton
8 Republican
X
Charles Perry
28 Republican
X
Charles Schwertner
5 Republican
X
Kevin Sparks
31 Republican
X
Drew Springer
30 Republican
X
Royce West
23 Democrat
X
John Whitmire
Democrat
X
Judith Zaffirini
21 Democrat
X