(Texas Scorecard) — The Club for Growth Foundation has published its 2023 Texas State Economic Scorecard, revealing significant declines in economic growth scores for Republican lawmakers in both the Texas House and Senate.
This report evaluates legislators for their support for policies promoting free markets and economic growth and includes votes on issues such as school choice, property tax relief, and corporate welfare.
In the Texas House, the average Republican score decreased to 48 percent from 64 percent in 2021. State Reps. Brian Harrison, Matt Schaefer, and Tony Tinderholt each received perfect scores of 100 percent, making them the highest-rated Republicans in the chamber.
The lowest ratings went to State Reps. Steve Allison and Drew Darby, at 17 percent.
Allison was defeated by attorney Marc LaHood in the Republican Primary Election earlier this year.
The average score for Republican Senators also dropped to 58 percent from 76 percent in 2021. State Sen. Mayes Middleton, the highest-rated Republican, achieved an 87 percent score, while State Sen. Robert Nichols held the lowest score at 26 percent.
David McIntosh, President of the Club for Growth Foundation, emphasized the need for greater fiscal responsibility in Texas.
“The mission of the Club for Growth Foundation is to provide the general public with the resources necessary to generate an informed opinion on the policies that have a direct impact on their everyday lives and to educate them on the benefits of free-market, limited government principles,” said McIntosh.
“From the outside-looking-in, many people assume that Texas is one of the most conservative states in the Union—however our analysis proves there is still work to be done in Austin to promote fiscal responsibility and ensure that tax dollars are working for the taxpayers instead of special interests. By making the information in its scorecard regularly available, Club for Growth Foundation offers a detailed look into where each lawmaker stands on key pieces of legislation,” he added.
The legislative scorecard aims to inform Texans about their representatives’ positions on economic policies and encourage a better understanding of the benefits of free-market, limited government principles. The Club for Growth Foundation plans to release similar scorecards for state legislatures nationwide.
For more details, view the full 2023 Texas State Economic Scorecard here.