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Joshua Fechter and Jasper Scherer, The Texas Tribune  |  Wichita Falls Times Record NewsProperty tax cuts aren’t free. In fact, they’re costing Texas a fortune.The Texas House is considering a budget that would shell out $51 billion — 15% of the state's total two-year spending plan — to maintain and provide new property tax cuts. That number, more than the state allocates to transportation or higher education, is making even some Republicans nervous about the state’s ability to afford the tax relief if there’s an economic downturn.If it were its...

Stock market uncertainty from President Donald Trump’s tariffs has even casual investors anxiously watching the VIX, commonly called Wall Street’s panic index or fear gauge.The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index – known as VIX – measures market expectations of stock price changes over the next 30 days, according to Cboe Global Markets, which manages the index.Investors use it to anticipate how stocks will react in stressful economic times, including those caused by tariffs. If VIX activity goes up, the stock market will probably go down.On April 7, the index...

President Donald Trump riffs on 'old fashioned term' groceriesAfter announcing global tariffs, President Donald Trump riffed on the word "groceries," calling it an "old fashioned" and "beautiful term."President Trump imposed new tariffs on imports, causing investors to worry about a recession.Arizona stocks are mixed, with some companies down sharply and others flat or slightly higher.Investors are advised not to panic and to consider adjusting their investment mix if they are concerned about volatility.Stock markets in the U.S. and around the globe took a beating with the news that President Trump...

DeSantis wants repeal of red flag laws and supports open carryDeSantis wants repeal of red flag laws and other restrictions on Second Amendment RightsFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed a plan to eliminate the state's portion of property taxes for homeowners.DeSantis argues that tourists and non-residents should bear a larger share of the tax burden.The Florida Legislature is currently in session and must reach an agreement on the state budget before adjourning on May 2.Could Florida property taxes be a thing of the past soon? Gov. Ron DeSantis thinks so.At...

Aribnb breaks down the hottest travel trends this spring breakAirbnb has revealed the most popular spring travel destinations and the reasoning behind the surge.Airbnb recently revealed the most wishlisted properties in each U.S. state, according to travelers.In Michigan, the most wishlisted property is The Round Haven, a unique dome-shaped home in Leelanau County.Located near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, The Round Haven offers scenic views and a secluded getaway.The property has received rave reviews from guests, praising its privacy, amenities, and proximity to nature.Airbnb has no shortage of interesting properties...

The governor lambasted House GOP lawmakers for not addressing 'pressing issues that Floridians care about.'DeSantis wants repeal of red flag laws and supports open carryDeSantis wants repeal of red flag laws and other restrictions on Second Amendment RightsFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis criticizes the Florida House's decision to reinstate four budget items he vetoed last year.DeSantis urges the legislature to prioritize issues like condo insurance reform, medical freedom, and E-Verify instead.The Senate has yet to decide whether to support the House's budget veto overrides.Gov. Ron DeSantis isn’t happy with Florida House...

"Louisiana wins again," was the headline as Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana Economic Development trumpeted the official announcement of the $5.8 billion Hyundai steel plant planned for the Donaldsonville area of Ascension Parish.President Donald Trump hosted Landry and several elected officials in the Roosevelt Room of the White House to deliver the monumental news for the state and region, which had not been seen at such a magnitude since the governor and Facebook's parent company, Meta, announced a large artificial intelligence data center in northeastern Louisiana.The first-of-its-kind Hyundai project was...

The Metuchen Edison Piscataway Area Branch of the NAACP’s Juneteenth celebration this year has been moved off federal property because of concerns it might violate President Trump's executive order targeting diversity, equity and inclusion.“We at the NAACP are being forced to relocate our annual Juneteenth Festival from federal grounds simply because it could be seen as a DEI initiative and risk retaliation under the Trump Administration's agenda. That's not just unacceptable – it's dangerous," said Reggie Johnson, president of this NAACP branch.The event, originally planned for June 7 at the...

White House downplays recession fears amid stock market concernsA new poll found that 70% of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, think President Trump's trade policies will push prices higher.Scripps NewsThe stock market has experienced turbulence, with the Nasdaq entering a correction in early March.The S&P 500 is predicted to see a weekly gain after four weeks of losses, while the Dow is on track for its largest weekly gain since January.After the November 2024 election, the stock market hit an all time high, with conservative media pundits claiming that...

Musk ramps up DOGE as Tesla stock tanks, backlash growsTesla’s stock dropped about 15% on March 10. Still, CEO Elon Musk has no plans to slow down his work in the U.S. government.The Department of Government Efficiency has reversed its decision to close the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas in Corpus Christi.The closure was initially part of a plan to reduce federal spending by canceling or renegotiating real estate contracts.The Department of Government Efficiency no longer plans to close the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern...