Last month, the Austin American-Statesman launched an interesting new city salary database that shines a light on the “top-paid city of Austin employees of 2025.” The new details are quite interesting, especially given the city’s own recent admission that “Austin is experiencing a housing affordability crisis”—which is, of course, chiefly driven by government action. Using this tool, it’s obvious that city workers have become numerous and well-compensated. As the Statesman itself notes: “The city of Austin employed 13,567 full-time workers...
Every Friday morning, I join the Cardle & Woolley Show on Talk1370 Radio in Austin to announce the week’s Winners & Losers. There was an overnight deal in the Senate to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, including the TSA workers, so if the House follows that lead, hopefully, nobody will have to...
If possession alone counts as interstate commerce, Congress can regulate almost anything. Think back to fourth-grade American history. We learned why the Articles of Confederation failed and why the Constitution replaced them. One major problem was that states struggled to trade with one another and often tried to protect local interests by taxing or restricting...
Over the last few months, local property taxes have been described as: “steep,” “burdensome,” “stressful,” “too high,” and “out-of-control.” Yet despite these sharp (and accurate!) criticisms of Texas’ property tax, many local governments seem oblivious to the system’s excesses, as evidenced by the adoption of high tax rates this year (see TPPF’s Taxman Cometh series) as well as historical tax, spending, and debt patterns. Worse, what once may have been excused as indifference or detachment now borders on exploitation. Consider some recent revelations about local government compensation. ...
You should break up with your boyfriend. Not your real, human boyfriend—your AI boyfriend. Recent media coverage and cultural moments have brought renewed attention to how people are forming relationships with artificial intelligence, and how we ought to think about these rapidly developing technologies. A recent Prime Video series, “Scarpetta,” offers a striking fictional example....
Not Happy What to know: California Gov. Gavin Newsom is disappointed in Elon Musk for pivoting to robotics and self-driving technologies, rather than remaining focused on expanding the market for electric vehicles. The TPPF take: Musk is smarter than Newsom. Most Americans simply don’t want electric vehicles right now, and with the federal EV mandates now gone, it makes...
Birthright Citizenship What to know: The Trump administration is suing to test whether the “birthright citizenship” doctrine is constitutional. The TPPF take: In the U.S., the very concept of “citizenship” is under siege. “The Left frames illegal immigration as a humanitarian right; the Right now echoes that framing under the guise of compassion and market necessity,” says TPPF’s Ammon Blair....
New SNAP Rules What to know: New rules for SNAP—food stamps—go into effect in Texas today. SNAP can no longer be used to purchase candy and sodas. The TPPF take: Allowing SNAP dollars to be used for soda and candy weakens the program’s purpose. “It does not promote healthy habits among welfare recipients and diverts taxpayer dollars...
The EPA’s 2025 decision to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding is being called one of the largest deregulatory actions in US history. But what exactly is the Endangerment Finding, and why do supporters say this change matters for American families and businesses? In this Fast Facts breakdown, we explain the 16-year history of greenhouse gas...
Since it has been unable to pass new gun restrictions through the legislative process, President Biden’s Administration is intentionally ignoring and misinterpreting well-established law to shut down lawfully operating gun dealers. TPPF Senior Attorney Matt Miller breaks down how this backdoor scheme works and explains TPPF’s lawsuit to restore Americans’ legal right to purchase firearms.
Illegal activity that harms the U.S. is coming from Mexico in much the same way as it does from other corrupt individuals in other countries the U.S. currently sanctions. Texas should compile a list of corrupt Mexican elites and request the federal government to deny them entry to the U.S. or revoke their visas. Read...
Every Friday morning, I join the Cardle & Woolley Show on Talk1370 Radio in Austin to announce the week’s Winners & Losers. There was an overnight deal in the Senate to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, including the TSA workers, so if the House follows that lead, hopefully, nobody will have to...
Every Friday morning I join the Cardle & Woolley Show on Talk1370 Radio in Austin to announce the week’s Winners & Losers. In a weekend with long lines at every airport and record heat predicted, here’s who made the list. WINNER: 7 Countries Unite for Strait of Hormuz Coalition Seven nations have signed a letter...
Every Friday morning I join the Cardle & Woolley Show on Talk 1370 Radio in Austin to announce the week’s Winners & Losers. It is Friday the 13th and oil is going for over $100 a barrel this morning, but some good things are happening too. Here’s who made the list: WINNER: Day 14-Epic Fury...
Every Friday morning, I join the Cardle & Woolley Show on Talk 1370 Radio in Austin to announce the week’s Winners & Losers. As we wade through the fog of war and analyze who really did win and lose in Tuesday’s primary election, here’s who made the list: WINNER: Trump’s Epic Fury It was almost a...