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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming HARDIN ISD agenda and found 4 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Taxpayer-Funded Lobbyists Hidden in Bill Payments
The district’s check register, buried in the Consent Agenda financials, includes payments totaling over $19,000 to Moak Casey LLC ($5,682) and Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson ($13,317). These firms are registered lobbyists that often work to oppose taxpayer-friendly reforms like property tax relief and school choice in Austin.
Response
DEMAND A RECORDED VOTE: Contact the Hardin ISD Board and demand that the check register within Consent Agenda Item 5.A be pulled for a separate discussion and a roll-call vote. Ask them: ‘Why are our property tax dollars paying Austin lobbyists to work against taxpayer interests?’
💰 Impact: $19,000+ in Lobbying Fees
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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Vague $4,000 ‘Impact Strategies’ Consultant Fee
A $4,000 payment to ‘Steady State Impact Strategies LLC’ appears in the October check register without any description of services rendered. This type of vague consulting contract can be a way to spend taxpayer money on political or strategic projects with no clear benefit or accountability to the public.
Response
DEMAND THE DETAILS: Contact the Hardin ISD Board regarding the payment to ‘Steady State Impact Strategies LLC’ in Item 5.A. Ask: ‘What specific services did this consultant provide for $4,000, and where can the public review the contract and deliverables?’
💰 Impact: $4,000 (Undisclosed Purpose)
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| WATCH (LEVEL 3) |
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Vague Title — Manual Review Required
Agenda Item 6, ‘Consider and Discuss Delinquent Tax Property,’ references an attachment that details the properties involved. While this is a routine government function, the specifics of any sales or agreements are contained entirely within the linked file.
Response
INVESTIGATE: Open the file ‘Delinquent property (1).pdf’ attached to Item 6 in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm the details of the properties and the proposed actions.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Property Details
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✅ Wins for Taxpayers
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 8) |
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District Earns Perfect Score for Financial Management
Hardin ISD has received a perfect score of 100 and a rating of ‘A = Superior Achievement’ on the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). This top rating indicates the district is excelling at transparent and responsible management of taxpayer dollars.
How to Lock It In
AMPLIFY THE WIN: Email the Hardin ISD Board (contact info on the district website) to thank them for their fiscal stewardship. Ask them to publicly commit to maintaining this ‘Superior’ standard in future budgets.
✅ Why It Matters: Fiscal Transparency
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