Energy & Environment

California Prof Tries To Shift Blame From Leftist Dumpster Fire For ‘Californiapocalypse’

In “Can You Still #Resist When Your State’s On Fire? A postcard from the Californiapocalypse,” Amy Wilentz, a journalist, writer, and English professor at the University of California, Irvine, details for The New York Times a truthy series of myths about California’s fiery, electric-less travails. She establishes her credentials at the onset by letting her...

November 8, 2019

Higher Education

A Complicated Debate: Have States Been Disinvesting in Higher Education?

“Two days. Two reports citing the same data. Two different conclusions.” That is how Rick Seltzer described the near-simultaneous release of two studies looking at state funding in Inside Higher Ed. The first study was written by myself for the Texas Public Policy Foundation and found that state disinvestment is a myth. The second study, by Michael Mitchell, Michael Leachman, and...

November 8, 2019

Energy & Environment

Fighting to Keep the Lights On: Cooke County

Two new renewable energy generators are being proposed in Cooke County. The two projects – BT Cooke Solar, LLC and Wildcat Creek Wind Farm LLC – are both seeking significant tax breaks in return for bringing their investment to the area. BT Cooke Solar’s application was posted in March of this year, and Wildcat Creek...

November 8, 2019

Health Care

Why Warren’s Plan Will Lead to Worse Health Care

Sen. Elizabeth Warren released significant details around her Medicare for All proposal last week. Much of the critical commentary has taken exception to the math and logic behind the Democratic presidential candidate’s analysis. She appears to have significantly underestimated the costs of the proposal and exaggerated or double-counted the revenue that could be raised from her new...

November 7, 2019

Higher Education

Resistance on the Right: Will Conservatives Ever Come Together on an Article V Convention of the States?

Did you know that the Constitution provides a means for the people, acting through their states, to propose constitutional amendments, without needing any support or participation from the U.S. Congress? Under Article V of the Constitution, if two-thirds of the states approve resolutions calling on Congress to hold an amendments convention, Congress has no choice...

November 7, 2019

Health Care

Yes, Republicans have an Obamacare repeal plan — and it would work

The latest defense of Obamacare isn’t a defense at all, it’s just the claim that Republicans don’t have an alternative and should therefore stop trying to get the landmark health insurance law overturned by the courts. But now, the House of Representatives’ Republican Study Committee has stepped up with its own plan, “A Framework for Personalized, Affordable Care.”...

November 7, 2019

Health Care

American Business Wants Out of Healthcare

Henry Ford once said “a customer can have a car painted any color—so long as it’s black.” The automobile was new to the market, and Ford wanted his factories to run so efficiently that the cost could be low enough “that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one.” Once competitors...

November 6, 2019

Energy & Environment

Liberal ‘Climate Mayors’ Are Proving Trump Right On Paris Climate Accord

While the United States is getting out of the Paris Climate Accord, some cities have decided to stay in. To date, more than 400 U.S. cities have committed to fulfill the Paris Climate Accord — despite the president’s announcement. This coalition got an international boost last week when New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a...

November 5, 2019

Local Government

War of words likely means future fireworks

A war of words has broken out between conservative state lawmakers and liberal local officials, with each side questioning the other’s motivations and character. These sometimes-caustic exchanges are not new to Texas politics, but the barbs are usually traded behind closed doors and inside committee rooms, not aired openly. The harshness of the public squabbling...

November 4, 2019

Economy

Beto O’Rourke had nothing to offer voters but criticism of Trump

Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas – once a rising star in the crowded field of Democratic presidential hopefuls – withdrew from the race Friday after belatedly realizing he couldn’t become president simply by attacking President Trump without offering a better alternative. Although he joined the chorus of Democrats denouncing Trump with ever-growing ferocity and embraced full-blown Trump Derangement...

November 2, 2019

Energy & Environment

Fighting to Keep the Lights On: Wharton County

Two new solar farms are being proposed in Wharton County. The two projects – Hecate Energy Ramsey LLC and Louise Solar, LLC – are both seeking significant tax breaks in return for bringing their investment to the area. Hecate Energy Ramsey’s application was posted in March of this year, and Louise Solar’s was just posted in July....

November 1, 2019

Economy

U.S. Keeps Adding Jobs With Large Upward Revisions For Past Months’ Data Suggesting A Shifting Economy

American employers added 128,000 jobs last month, far above the expected 85,000. In addition, 95,000 more people were hired than initially estimated in August and September. This means that after revisions, monthly nonfarm job gains have averaged 176,000 over the past three months. These gains were seen in the face of employment declining by 42,000 in...

November 1, 2019