From The Texas Tribune · · 4m
Texas Candidates' Affordability Plans
Texas candidates propose tax cuts, subsidies and housing reforms to tackle rising costs.
In brief
Texas candidates propose tax cuts, subsidies and housing reforms to tackle rising costs. Texas candidates propose tax cuts, subsidies and housing reforms to tackle rising costs. Originally reported by The Texas Tribune.
Texas voters fret about high cost of living
Candidates running in this year’s midterm elections are trying to claim the mantle of affordability as Texas voters fret about the high cost of living.
Candidates propose $1,500 checks and tax pauses
Candidates up and down the ballot have floated a litany of ideas, including cutting everyone a $1,500 check and pausing taxes, aimed at taming the high cost of everything.
Groceries cost drivers
Disasters and disease have increased import costs, severe weather and disease have created steep price increases of specific foods, drought and wildfires reduced the U.S. cattle herd and caused beef prices to soar.
Groceries cost drivers
Immigration enforcement, war and tariffs have increased the cost of fertilizers and fuel for transportation of food to store shelves.
Senate candidates on groceries
Ken Paxton R said he would target corporations that supply Americans’ food, accusing them of being monopolies that price gouge and engage in unfair business practices, particularly meatpackers.
Senate candidates on groceries
James Talarico D promises to push back against efforts to restrict federal food aid programs, increase oversight into mergers of companies that supply food, remove tariffs on produce that can’t be grown in the U.S. and work to increase competition among grocery providers.
Governor on groceries
Greg Abbott R has not publicized a plan to tackle high grocery costs. His website says his efforts to boost the Texas economy have put money in Texans’ wallets.
Governor on groceries
Gina Hinojosa D promises to go after major corporations that supply Texans’ food, arguing they put their profits ahead of consumers. She specifically pointed to the practice of surveillance pricing.
Lieutenant Governor on groceries
Dan Patrick R has not released a plan to specifically address grocery prices.
Lieutenant Governor on groceries
Vikki Goodwin D said she would support the Texas Food System Security and Resiliency Planning Council, a body created in 2.024 that is intended to monitor and address food supply chain issues.
Gasoline cost drivers
Oil markets are notably volatile because of the cost and effort that goes into drilling new wells and global demand for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
Gasoline cost drivers
The price of oil jumped above $100 a barrel in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. Western sanctions on Russian oil triggered a supply shock.
Gasoline cost drivers
Ukraine war drone strikes on Russian refineries this summer prompted Russia to ban diesel exports in July, further limiting the global supply of diesel.
Gasoline cost drivers
Iran war closed the Strait of Hormuz in late February, restricting exports from the Middle East and driving up the cost of fertilizer and fuel used in farm equipment and to transport food to store shelves.
Senate candidates on gasoline
Ken Paxton R supports a permanent repeal of the federal gas tax and keeping regulations low for the state’s oil and gas industry, promising to increase American oil and gas production to lower prices.
Senate candidates on gasoline
James Talarico D has called for a pause on federal gas and diesel taxes and an end to the war with Iran.
Governor on gasoline
Greg Abbott R declared a state emergency over gas prices and used emergency powers to allow the use of untaxed, dyed diesel fuel on Texas roadways, but said he can’t unilaterally suspend the gas tax without the Legislature.
Governor on gasoline
Gina Hinojosa D has called for a pause on the state and federal gas taxes. In Texas, the tax is 20 cents per gallon of gasoline and diesel.
Lieutenant Governor on gasoline
Dan Patrick R trusts Trump’s war with Iran, arguing the pain at the gas pump is worth defeating the Iranian regime.
Lieutenant Governor on gasoline
Vikki Goodwin D blamed the U.S. war with Iran for high gas prices and said she would push the state to encourage flexible and remote work options and expand public transportation to reduce Texans’ reliance on cars.
What it means
Texas candidates propose tax cuts, subsidies and housing reforms to tackle rising costs.
