Bill Archer, Texas Anti-Tax Powerhouse, Dies at 98 After 30 Years in House

Q: With Bill Archer's philosophy influencing 2026 tax law, what is the biggest change for individual filers?

The biggest change for most individual filers in 2026 is that the core 2017 tax cuts are no longer temporary: the lower individual tax rates and the larger standard deduction are effectively locked in, rather than expiring after 2025. That matters most because it affects the broadest share of taxpayers. For 2026, the standard deduction remains elevated and inflation-adjusted — about $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly, and $24,150 for heads of household — while the current tax brackets also stay in place. In practical terms, that prevents a broad tax increase that would otherwise have hit many households. A major secondary change is the much higher cap on the state and local tax deduction. For 2026, the SALT cap rises to roughly $40,400, up from $10,000, though it phases down for higher-income filers. That is especially significant for taxpayers in high-tax states who itemize, but it does not affect as many people as the standard deduction and rate structure. Other notable 2026 changes include a new deduction for non-itemizers who give to charity and a temporary extra deduction for many taxpayers age 65 and older. But if the question is which single change is biggest for individual filers overall, it is the permanent extension of the lower tax rates and higher standard deduction that define the post-2025 tax code.

Q: As infrastructure laws expire, what new fees are being proposed to fund America's roads and railways?

The main new funding idea is a federal annual registration fee on electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids as current infrastructure laws near expiration. Under the House transportation blueprint known as the BUILD America 250 Act, lawmakers have proposed charging electric vehicle owners about $130 a year and plug-in hybrid owners about $35 a year, with the fees scheduled to rise gradually over time. The money would go to the Highway Trust Fund, which pays for roads, bridges and related transportation programs. The rationale is that EVs use the roads but do not contribute through gasoline taxes. Other funding options being discussed more broadly include raising the federal gas tax, which has not been increased since 1993, indexing it to inflation, or replacing part of the current fuel-tax model with a mileage-based road user charge that would bill drivers by miles traveled. Some proposals have also floated higher EV fees, including a $250 annual charge or even a one-time $1,000 fee, though those are not the central House proposal. For rail and wider surface transportation, the House bill largely relies on Highway Trust Fund and general fund authorizations rather than a separate new rail-specific fee. It also continues a pilot program studying a national per-mile user fee as a possible long-term replacement for fuel-tax funding.

1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 5

Bill Archer, the Texas Republican who became one of Washington’s most powerful anti-tax lawmakers, died Saturday at 98, the Archer Center announced.
Archer served in the House from 1971 to 2001 and spent his final six years as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, shaping virtually all tax legislation considered by the chamber.
His core agenda was to cut and simplify taxes, shrink government and overhaul Social Security, Medicare and welfare programs, positions that made him a leading conservative voice in budget fights.
Representing a wealthy Houston-area district, Archer never lost an election over three decades and often won by overwhelming margins, reflecting the durable political base behind his fiscal agenda.

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The New York Times6h ago

Influential Texas Congressman Bill Archer, Anti-Tax Crusader, Dies at 98

With Bill Archer's philosophy influencing 2026 tax law, what is the biggest change for individual filers?

As infrastructure laws expire, what new fees are being proposed to fund America's roads and railways?

How will the new 'Trump Accounts' for minors reshape long-term family savings strategies starting this month?

Bill Archer’s 30-Year Congressional Legacy: Architect of Modern GOP Fiscal Policy and Mentor to Future Leaders

Overview

Bill Archer, who passed away on July 4, 2026, was a long-serving Republican Congressman from Texas and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. He left an indelible mark on Capitol Hill by personally authoring nearly all tax legislation considered by the House during his chairmanship from 1995 to 2001. Archer was a pivotal force in shaping the nation’s tax laws and economic direction, with his influence extending to major bills affecting fiscal policy. His leadership and dedication to fiscal conservatism made him a central figure in American economic policy for decades.

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Left100%

The New York Times6h ago

Influential Texas Congressman Bill Archer, Anti-Tax Crusader, Dies at 98

Bill Archer, Texas Anti-Tax Powerhouse, Dies at 98 After 30 Years in House

Summary

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Bill Archer’s 30-Year Congressional Legacy: Architect of Modern GOP Fiscal Policy and Mentor to Future Leaders

Overview

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