Rep. Harrison Casts Doubt on ‘Small Government’ Texas

Over the weekend, Texas Rep. Brian Harrison (R) launched a tirade of social media posts, claiming that Texas isn’t as “conservative” as one would think it is. As the House engaged in a conflict over keeping the government’s lights on, Rep. Harrison argued that Texas also needs to make better financial decisions. Ahead of the next legislative session, Rep. Harrison wants to prioritize a “small government” Texas.

According to data provided by the Texas Republican, Texas is among the most regulated states in the United States. As of 2023, Texas has clocked in 274,469 total regulation restrictions. The other four states that have the most regulations in the country are Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and California has the most regulations at 420,434.

Texas being so regulated, Rep. Harrison argues, is because of Republican control.

“Small-government Texas is a myth,” the Republican lawmaker shared on social media, adding that “we must make it a reality.”

Rep. Harrison also shared that “Texas government has grown more under Republican leadership than when Democrats controlled the state,” sharing an article covering how Texas’ government spending is far outpacing population growth plus inflation.

The GOP criticism comes at a time when Republicans face infighting over government spending.

Despite the House reaching an agreement on a CR bill that would keep the lights on in the government until March, Republicans like Texas Reps. Chip Roy (R) and Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R) voted against the bill, arguing that it only adds government spending and government waste.

At a time when the incoming administration has created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to address these two concerns, lawmakers find it hypocritical that self-proclaimed fiscally responsible lawmakers would vote for the CR.

Rep. Roy’s opposition to the Trump-backed efforts also embroiled him in a rivalry with the president-elect, who called Rep. Roy “unpopular” and called for primarying him in the next election.