Paxton says he’ll lower costs. His plan doesn’t lower prices, and his record cuts the other way.
His plan is federal tax deductions, not lower prices; he backs the Iran war that has driven gas up 69%, and as a legislator he voted against regulating payday lenders.
Paxton’s campaign claims he will lower costs for Texas families.
Source: Campaign statement accompanying his first TV ads, Sept. 15, 2026 · The Texas TribuneWhat the record shows
Paxton’s Senate economic plan consists of federal tax deductions and credits, not measures that lower prices. Tax experts quoted by the Houston Chronicle said the biggest beneficiaries would likely be households earning $150,000 to $300,000, and the campaign has not said how it would be paid for. 01 04
Since the Iran war began in February, Texas gas prices are up 69% and diesel 53% from a year ago. Paxton has declined to oppose the war, saying he supports the president, and told an interviewer he would have preferred it start “later, after the midterm elections.” 07
Asked how he would pay for it, Paxton said he has “never believed that tax cuts necessarily mean you have less in the treasury.” 03 The investigation he opened into CenterPoint Energy after Hurricane Beryl has no reported outcome. 05
As a legislator, he voted against licensing payday and auto-title lenders, against making them disclose their fees, and against capping payday loans. The votes are listed below.
The record behind this
- Paxton’s CenterPoint investigation after Hurricane Beryl produces no reported result
The office announced the investigation in August 2024; no finding, settlement or lawsuit has been reported.
- Paxton’s cost-of-living plan is tax deductions, not lower prices
It proposes a $25,000 medical-expense deduction, $50,000 home down-payment deductions and a doubled child tax credit.
- Experts: Paxton’s tax plan helps higher earners most
A Tax Foundation analyst said the biggest beneficiaries would likely earn $150,000 to $300,000. In the Chronicle’s example, a $50,000 deduction saves a 10% bracket filer about $1,200 and a top-bracket filer $18,500.
- Paxton touts an egg giveaway as price relief; the settlements pay $3.3 million split among all states
The settlements with egg producers were part of claims brought by the U.S. Justice Department and multiple states.
- With gas up 69% since the Iran war began, Paxton won’t oppose the war, and says he’d have preferred it wait until after the midterms
Texas gas averages $3.94 a gallon, up 69% from a year earlier, and diesel $5.90, up 53%. Paxton did not respond to calls to oppose the war. He has said he supports the president and does not have current intelligence on it, and told Bloomberg he would have preferred the war “later, after the midterm elections.”
The votes behind this
- Voted against capping payday loansSB 1247: Limits on payday and auto-title loans. Passed Senate 24–6; died in a House committee.
- Voted against licensing and regulating payday and auto-title lendersHB 2594: Licensing and regulation of payday and auto-title lenders. Passed House 84–50; he also voted against the final version. Became law.
- Voted against making payday lenders disclose their feesHB 2592: Fee disclosures for payday and auto-title lenders. Passed House 123–23; he also voted against the final version. Became law.
Response
The campaign says the tax deductions would help families with housing, health care and family costs by letting them keep more of their income. It has not said how the plan would be paid for. 04
Sources
- 01Paxton unveils economic plan tied to tax breaks in Senate raceThe Texas Tribune · July 31, 2026
- 02Campaign video on his economic planKen Paxton for Senate (YouTube) · July 31, 2026
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- 04Ken Paxton and James Talarico each have plans to tackle affordability. Here’s what to know.Houston Chronicle · Aug. 18, 2026
- 05Attorney General Ken Paxton opens investigation into CenterPoint Energy’s conduct during Hurricane BerylOffice of the Texas Attorney General · Aug. 12, 2024
- 06Attorney General Ken Paxton announces distribution of 7 million free eggs to TexansOffice of the Texas Attorney General · Sept. 8, 2026
- 07Paxton, Talarico spar over suspending gas taxThe Texas Tribune · Sept. 26, 2026