Judge A. Shepard is a Policy Analyst for the Taxpayer Protection Project with Texas Public Policy Foundation, where he focuses on Private Property Rights.
Judge holds a B.S. in Forensic Chemistry from the University of Mississippi and a J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law.
For lawmakers, parents, and students across the Lone Star State, the direction of public education remains a fraught issue. Many continue to voice concerns about administrative bloat, curriculum choices, palatial facilities, and misspending of every type. In this vein, a new controversy may be on the verge of erupting involving Independent School Districts (ISDs) and...
The City of Austin recently released its 2025-26 Proposed Budget, which contains a, “host of questionable projects and programs,” however, an overlooked issue within the budget is the increasing in fees relating to construction permits. Some permitting fees are increasing by over 200%, while others are astronomical raises. Most notably, a 9077.2% raise on utility...
Across Texas, a concerning trend is emerging: local governments are rewriting critical rules on vital topics like crime, elections, and basic governance to serve their political agendas rather than the public interest. From progressive prosecutors ignoring the Penal Code to city councils experimenting with ranked-choice voting schemes, local government activism is creating confusion and inconsistency...
The proposed Dallas-to-Houston bullet train, once heralded as a transformative piece of Texas infrastructure, suffered a significant setback this week. Federal officials announced the abrupt termination of a $63.9 million planning grant for the high-speed rail project, halting its momentum just months after it was awarded. This decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation signals...
Austin is a cultural and economic hub of Texas (and arguably even the United States); however, in recent years, the city has proven incapable of managing critical issues that affect the safety and well-being of its residents. The city’s crime rate is still above 2019 levels, with murder, rape, and assault rates trending higher than...
Congressman Tom Cole once stated, “Private ownership of property is vital to both our freedom and our prosperity.” This could not be truer, whether that includes one’s home, car, and the myriads of other types of real and intangible property. Protection of private property rights is a cornerstone of both Texas and the U.S. While...
January not only brings the new year and resolutions, but also new laws enacted by the 88th Legislature, which convened in 2023. Three of these new laws are big wins on the private property rights frontier. Beginning January 1, 2025, Texans will no longer have to purchase vehicle safety inspection stickers thanks to the passage...