Experts

The Honorable Talmadge Heflin is the Director of the Foundation’s Center for Fiscal Policy. Prior to joining the Foundation, Heflin served the people of Harris County as a state representative for 11 terms. Well regarded as a legislative leader on budget and tax issues by Democratic and Republican speakers alike, he for several terms was the only House member to serve on both the Ways and Means and Appropriations committees. 

In the 78th Session, Heflin served as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. He navigated a $10 billion state budget shortfall through targeted spending cuts that allowed Texans to avoid a tax increase. 

Originally from Webster Parish, Louisiana, Heflin was a resident of Houston for over 40 years and currently resides in Driftwood, Texas. Prior to his legislative service, he was a member of the Board of trustees at Alief Independent School District. He is past president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, a member of numerous local civic organizations, serves as a deacon at First Baptist Church Dripping Springs, and is a former member of the board of the West Houston Medical Center. He is also the namesake of Talmadge L. Heflin Elementary School in Alief, which opened in 1982 in honor of his service to Alief ISD.