Christopher E. Baecker
San Antonio
VP - Bexar County Taxpayer Association; Editor/Policy Director - InfuseSA; Economics Lecturer - NW Vista College; Roadie - Earl Warren HS Band
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Christopher E. Baecker
Illusions of Grandeur
City Council takes a final vote Sept. 17 on a $4.41 billion budget that would raise the property tax rate for the first time since 1992. When they were young, I used to give my daughters individual bags of chips. Turns out, my oldest would seize some of her sisters’ stash. This coincided with chip-makers putting fewer chips in each bag, commonly known as shrinkflation. When I cut the number of bags I handed out, she would actually demand more from the other girls.
Lift Campaign Donation Caps, But Ban Them From Special Interests
Understatement alert: money in politics is not popular. If news of loosening campaign fundraising rules doesn’t land well, that’s why. It’s an especially bad look when sitting representatives propose it. That said, money in this arena is a necessary evil. In fact, I’d add that it’s not all necessarily evil. No one would deny that it’s needed to advertise, to get your name out there, especially if you’re a newcomer. You also need to get your message in front of people. Social media alone won’t do it.
Lift Campaign Donation Caps, But Ban Them From Special Interests
Understatement alert: money in politics is not popular. If news of loosening campaign fundraising rules doesn’t land well, that’s why. It’s an especially bad look when sitting representatives propose it. That said, money in this arena is a necessary evil. In fact, I’d add that it’s not all necessarily evil. No one would deny that it’s needed to advertise, to get your name out there, especially if you’re a newcomer. You also need to get your message in front of people. This Substack is reader-supported.
San Antonio needs to cut wasteful spending and deal with its budget crisis
If the City Council would simply exercise some fiscal discipline, it wold save taxpayers money and allow growth and development to thrive in San Antonio. San Antonio Express-News file photo San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones listens to remarks on the new city budget proposal from City Manager Erik Walsh last year. As the city grapples with a budget deficit, San Antonio City Council needs to make cuts. Christopher Lee/Staff Photographer The city budgeting season is here.
Degrees of Seriousness on the National Debt
We hit an ignominious milestone recently when the national debt crossed $39 trillion. Naturally, regular citizens have chimed in about what’s to blame, who’s to fault, what can be done, or does it even matter. The discussion usually takes one or more of the following shapes.
Degrees of Seriousness on the National Debt
We hit an ignominious milestone recently when the national debt crossed $39 trillion . Naturally, regular citizens have chimed in about what’s to blame, who’s at fault, what can be done, or whether it even matters.
Degrees of Seriousness on the National Debt
Greater freedom is the answer. We hit an ignominious milestone recently when the national debt crossed $39 trillion. Naturally, regular citizens have chimed in about what’s to blame, who’s at fault, what can be done, or whether it even matters. The discussion usually takes one or more of the following shapes.
Degrees of Seriousness on the National Debt
Greater freedom is the answer. We hit an ignominious milestone recently when the national debt crossed $39 trillion. Naturally, regular citizens have chimed in about what’s to blame, who’s at fault, what can be done, or whether it even matters. The discussion usually takes one or more of the following shapes.
Degrees of Seriousness on the National Debt
We hit an ignominious milestone recently when the national debt crossed $39 trillion. Naturally, regular citizens have chimed in about what’s to blame, who’s to blame, what can be done, or does it even matter. The discussion usually takes one or more of the following shapes.
Being forcefully prodded to ditch cars in favor of VIA is the wrong route
Two VIA Metropolitan Transit buses travel northbound on San Pedro Avenue toward San Antonio’s Monte Vista neighborhood in October 2024. Our own cars give us independence, our guest columnist writes. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Christopher Baecker is vice president of the Bexar County Taxpayer Association. He teaches AP government and financial literacy at BASIS Charter, as well as economics at Northwest Vista College.
Ticket to Ride - FEE
There’s no such thing as a free bus. “Removing the financial barrier to ride has decreased car dependency” in other cities. Who said this? New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani on his free bus fares plan? No. It’s one of his fellow travelers here in San Antonio in a recent interview discussing a similar proposal. He currently has the support of two other socialist city council members, and one progressive. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones supports a pilot program to test it out.
There's No Such Thing as 'Free' Bus Fare
“Removing the financial barrier to ride has decreased car dependency” in other cities. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on his free bus fares plan? No. It’s one of his fellow travelers here in San Antonio in a recent interview discussing a similar proposal. He currently has the support of two other socialist city council members, and one progressive. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones supports a pilot program to test it out.
Baecker: Sen o deflacji
Źródło: fee.org Tłumaczenie: Mateusz Czyżniewski Najprzyjemniejszą niespodzianką w trakcie pierwszego roku mojej pracy jako pełnoetatowy wykładowca ekonomii było zaproszenie do poprowadzenia kursu z zakresu wiedzy finansowej. Moi przyjaciele i rodzina zawsze wyśmiewali mnie za chęć utrzymywania temperatury termostatu na poziomie 78°F podczas teksańskich upałów, ale po czasie wygląda na to, że taka ostrożność opłaciła się.
Ending school property taxes is merely a start for proper reform
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced his reelection bid in November by saying he wants to abolish school property taxes. Naturally, there have been objections, and we'd like to add our own feedback: It doesn't go far enough. True, he also wants to limit appraisals to once every five years and lower the cap from 10% to 3%. Those measures, however, carry their own risks. Ideally, the entire burden across all taxing jurisdictions should be lifted. The reasons why are numerous.
Ending school property taxes is merely a start for proper reform
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, left, fields questions about property taxes from the media in June 2023 during a public safety bill signing ceremony at the Texas State Capitol in Austin. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Christopher Baecker is vice president of the Bexar County Taxpayer Association. He teaches AP government and financial literacy at BASIS Charter, as well as economics at Northwest Vista College.
Texas: On Its Way to Ending Property Tax?
A sales tax would be a much more equitable, efficient form of taxation. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced his reelection bid in November by saying he wants to abolish school property taxes. Naturally there have been objections, and we’d like to add our own feedback: it doesn’t go far enough. He also proposed limiting appraisals to once every five years. That would ideally lead to a reduction of payrolls as well, realizing additional savings for taxpayers.
It won’t be different. Economic growth near current Spurs arena hasn’t happened
Araceli Herrera, founder and director of Domesticas Unidas, stands outside the Alamodome on Aug. 4 with other local residents as she holds a sign that reads “No! Project Marvel.” Taxpayers should remember that promised economic growth hasn’t happened around the Alamodome or Frost Bank Center, so they should vote “against” on Propositions A and B, our guest columnist writes. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A rendering shows what a sports and entertainment district downtown could look like.
Economic growth hasn’t happened around Alamodome or Frost Bank Center
3 things you missed from the NBA: Wemby vs. Flagg, historic rookie debut, Antetokounmpo leads Bucks The 2025 NBA season kicked off in earnest on Wednesday with 12 games taking place across the league. It comes after the traditional curtain-raiser of last year’s champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, receiving their championship rings and opening the new season on Tuesday. The Thunder then beat the …
Losing to a Socialist and Municipal Apathy
In May, I narrowly missed out on making the runoff for a seat on the San Antonio City Council. The candidate who nudged past me into second place, by less than 2%, is a socialist. He ultimately went on to win. Coupled with Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the democratic primary for New York City mayor, and the rise of fellow socialist mayoral candidate Omar Fateh in Minneapolis, this should be cause for concern at all levels of American government.
The Bipartisan Hindering of the Entrepreneurial Spirit
“You knew dealing with regulations was part of owning a business. You should just accept it.” Whenever entrepreneurs and small business owners face new regulatory obstacles, I think of that statement directed at a friend several years ago. More such impediments have popped up recently at all levels of government, instigated by both ends of the political spectrum.
Venezuelan Gangs, Affordable Housing, and Bad Policy
For years I have held up Venezuela in my economics classes as an example of bad government policy. Now it appears that the fallout from those policies has led to more crime being exported to cities across the US. Perhaps unsurprisingly, due to our proximity to the border, San Antonio is one of those cities. SAPD, along with “multiple state and federal agencies,” arrested several people in a northside apartment complex last weekend on suspicions of human trafficking, among other offenses.
It All Began When the Government Tried to Make Housing More Affordable
Audio Mises Wire Tags: Interventionism, Big Government, Economic Policy, The Fed What is the Mises Institute? Become a Member
It All Began When the Government Tried to Make Housing More Affordable
I attended a neighborhood association meeting recently on the inner west side of San Antonio. The concerns were probably not unlike those of residents in other United States urban centers: crime, public intoxication, vagrancy, etc. One that drew a notable response from the local councilwoman was the cost of housing. This issue provides a good example of how actions of the federal government trickle down and leave collateral damage in our neighborhoods.
The War on Poverty Makes Poverty Worse
Audio Mises Wire Tags: Politics, Poverty, Progressivism, Taxes and Spending What is the Mises Institute? Become a Member
The War on Poverty Makes Poverty Worse
The city of San Antonio’s Status on Poverty Report was released recently, and the response was predictable. “I just want . . . some sort of an action plan.” Council should “better direct” taxpayer dollars “toward helping all San Antonians thrive.” If officials had a decent grasp of history, they’d know the likely outcomes from such efforts: more of the same. Poverty is the natural, initial state. Society wasn’t just born into affluence; it had to be created.
"Don't Do Something! Just Stand There!"
The city of San Antonio’s Status on Poverty Report was released recently, and the response was predictable. “I just want . . . some sort of an action plan.” Council should “better direct” taxpayer dollars “toward helping all San Antonians thrive.” If officials had a decent grasp of history, they’d know the likely outcomes from such efforts: more of the same. Poverty is the natural, initial state. Society wasn’t just born into affluence; it had to be created.
TikTok Ban Is Really About Government Censorship
Matt Kibbe recently joined Will Cain on Fox to discuss proposed legislation to divest or outright ban TikTok. Like almost everything Congress does these days, this ill advised legislation is not what is advertised, but is in fact a blank check on Presidential power to censor or shut down social media platforms that become politically inconvenient.
Mises Wire
General Topics Austrian School Filter by Title: Sort by: How to Free Ourselves from Government Money (Part III) Money and Banks Money is far too important to be left in the hands of bankers and of Establishment economists and financiers. To accomplish this goal, money must be returned to the market economy, with all monetary functions performed within the structure of the rights of private property and the market.
Mises Wire
General Topics Austrian School Filter by Title: Sort by: Yemen: The Forgotten Neoconservative-Supported War in the Middle East PoliticsU.S. HistoryWar and Foreign PolicyWorld History While Western attention is on the Israel-Hamas conflict, war quietly rages in Yemen with predictable destruction. Not surprisingly, US interventionism is fueling this fight. Read More Can an Easy Money Policy Increase Employment of "Idle Resources"?
Mises Wire
Remember the Alamo! Moses Rose's Last Stand Bureaucracy and RegulationProperty RightsEntrepreneurship In the name of "economic development," San Antonio's government is seeking to seize a thriving business near the Alamo. Read More Joe Biden Calls for the FTC to Resurrect the Robinson Patman Act.
Remember the Alamo! Moses Rose's Last Stand | Christopher Baecker
Home | Wire | Remember the Alamo! Moses Rose's Last Stand Remember the Alamo! Moses Rose's Last Stand Tags Bureaucracy and RegulationProperty RightsEntrepreneurship Ever since I can remember, there’s been a notable imbalance between the attention and credit given to the demand side of the economy compared to the supply side. I try to ensure that my students see the latter is just as important as the former.
Making a Case For the Property Tax As the Most Egregious Tax
Understanding taxes is pretty simple. When the government takes a dollar away from a citizen, it makes him and society poorer. When it takes less, the opposite happens. We have to give it more thought to understand why government pulls in more after cutting tax rates. Moreover, there are different dynamics at play depending upon whether you’re talking about taxes on income, or taxes on property. When public coffers fill up after income tax rates are cut, it’s usually a sign of good things.
The Property Tax Is Arguably Most Egregious
Understanding taxes is pretty simple. When the government takes a dollar away from a citizen, it makes him and society poorer. When it takes less, the opposite happens. We have to give it more thought to understand why government pulls in more after cutting tax rates. Moreover, there are different dynamics at play depending upon whether you’re talking about taxes on income, or taxes on property. Read Full Article »
Dependency on China Is Bad, but Tariffs Are Worse
With GDP falling 0.9% in the second quarter of this year (a strong signal of recession, however the Whitehouse spins it), the Federal Reserve hiking interest rates up 0.75 percentage points for the second time in a row, and consumer prices rising at a rate not seen since 1981, it’s fair to say: The American economy is in horrendous shape.
Rather Than Spending, SA Should Shrink Property Taxes
Next month San Antonians will go to the polls to vote on $1.2 billion in bond proposals. It’s a whopper of a debt-binge that includes funding for unfinished projects authorized by prior bond elections, some of questionable legality, and others representing wasteful jurisdictional overlap. Also on the ballot will be two constitutional amendments, both aimed at reducing property taxes. The issues are related. Read Full Article »
"Affordable Housing": The Biggest Political Lie to Vote Down
A good friend of mine recently quipped about how she wished she had a good product or service idea to go along with her immense analytical and organizational skills. No doubt if she did, she’d have little trouble finding financial backing. All government needs though, is a captive tax base.
Commentary: Reject housing bond; that’s not a taxpayer duty
A good friend recently quipped about how she wished she had a good product or service idea to go along with her immense analytical and organizational skills. No doubt if she did, she’d have little trouble finding financial backing. All government needs, though, is a captive tax base.
"Affordable Housing": Biggest Political Lie to Vote Down
A good friend of mine recently quipped about how she wished she had a good product or service idea to go along with her immense analytical and organizational skills. No doubt if she did, she’d have little trouble finding financial backing. All government needs though, is a captive tax base. Politicians like to refer to these taxpayers as “investors.” Read Full Article »
Russia, Ukraine, and the Unsung Truth About Expensive Gas
Thank goodness for memes! A witty, well-placed caption on a still frame from a movie, cartoon, etc. provides welcome comic relief amidst the steady drip of stressful news these last few years. The latest templates are rich celebrities and bureaucrats who are basically telling us to suck it up, or buy an electric car to counter spiking gas prices in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Now the press is vying for some of the meme mockery.
Russia, Ukraine & the Unsung Truth About Expensive Gas
(Jacob Ford/Odessa American via AP) Thank goodness for memes! A witty, well-placed caption on a still frame from a movie, cartoon, etc. provides welcome comic relief amidst the steady drip of stressful news these last few years. The latest templates are rich celebrities and bureaucrats who are basically telling us to suck it up, or buy an electric car to counter spiking gas prices in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Now the press is vying for some of the meme mockery.
Peggy Noonan Has a Funny Definition of the Free Market
I might have a new favorite comedian; Nate Bargatze. He left me in stitches recently at one of his shows here! Since he works clean, my girls’ mom and I thought they might like the family bits in his act. When we watched one of his specials, I was reminded of his take on common core math: “a new math they invented, no heads-up.” Incidentally, I saw him on the same night Peggy Noonan’s latest hit the pages of The Wall Street Journal. I was struck by some similarities in logic.
Peggy Noonan Has Odd Definition of the Free Market
I might have a new favorite comedian; Nate Bargatze. He left me in stitches recently at one of his shows here! Since he works clean, my girls’ mom and I thought they might like the family bits in his act. When we watched one of his specials, I was reminded of his take on common core math: “a new math they invented, no heads-up.” Incidentally, I saw him on the same night Peggy Noonan’s latest hit the pages of The Wall Street Journal. I was struck by some similarities in logic. Read Full Article »
Jonny Z, Metallica, and the Quintessential American Success Story
I saw legendary death metal band Obituary the other night for the fourth time in less than three years. Throw in the three livestreams over the same period, and I’ve paid to see only Anthrax more. Incidentally, they came to mind during the show when I got the news: Jonny Z had died. Most ordinary folks have likely never heard of Jon Zazula.
Jonny Z, Metallica, and the Quintessential U.S. Success Story
I saw legendary death metal band Obituary the other night for the fourth time in less than three years. Throw in the three livestreams over the same period, and I’ve paid to see only Anthrax more. Incidentally, they came to mind during the show when I got the news: Jonny Z had died. Most ordinary folks have likely never heard of Jon Zazula.
Commentary: Fallacies inherent in job initiatives
Shortly after 9/11, CNN’s “Crossfire” had Democratic strategist Peter Fenn on to spar with then-RNC Communications Director Clifford May. The topic was economic “stimulus” legislation, and Fenn was pushing for “job training.” Activists have always wanted government to play a central role in this.
Irony of Government Playing Role of Job Trainer
I loved watching CNN’s “Crossfire” back in the day. The verbal jousting reminded me of “Siskel & Ebert” debating the latest movies when I was a kid. Shortly after 9/11, they had Democratic strategist Peter Fenn on to spar with then-RNC Communications Director Cliff May. The topic was economic “stimulus” legislation, and Fenn was pushing for “job training.” Read Full Article »
Despite What Politicians Tell You, 'Stimulus' Doesn't Stimulate
I’m sad. My personal life is actually quite good. My daughters are doing very well in school and extracurriculars. I’m also about to get to return to one of my favorite places: a physical classroom. No more Zoom! The sadness incidentally, stems from one reason I teach in the first place; debunking misinformation. The latest sample came courtesy of a flyer I received from my congressman, Joaquin Castro.
Contra What Pols Tell You, Stimulus Doesn't Stimulate
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) I’m sad. My personal life is actually quite good. My daughters are doing very well in school and extracurriculars. I’m also about to get to return to one of my favorite places: a physical classroom. No more Zoom! The sadness incidentally, stems from one reason I teach in the first place; debunking misinformation. The latest sample came courtesy of a flyer I received from my congressman, Joaquin Castro.
Economic Lessons From the Texas Manufacturing Boom
Ever since their mother took them to New York City for Christmas a few years ago, my daughters have been determined to return. My newly-minted high school graduate went so far as to apply to several colleges and universities in the northeast. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. While her work ethic will likely open doors for her wherever she wants to go in life, she’ll be studying within a ninety-minute drive from mom and dad.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Christopher E.
Contact Christopher E., search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack