Family
HB 3109: Legal Protection for Children In Long-Term Foster Care
Testimony before the House Human Services Committee by Brandon Logan, J.D., CWLS
April 25, 2017
Criminal Justice
The suspect practice of civil asset forfeiture
This commentary originally appeared on TribTalk on April 25, 2017. Recently, two Texas district attorneys have taken to the editorial pages to openly defend a government practice that has engendered widespread condemnation: civil asset forfeiture. They have lamented reform efforts while making several spurious defenses for the practice along the way that merit challenge. Civil...
April 25, 2017
Economy
HB 4239 & SB 2203: The Texas Title Insurance Monopoly
Testimony on HB 4239 and SB 2203 by Bill Peacock
April 24, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Houston’s Pension Plan Changes Make Real Reform Less Likely
The City of Houston’s pension rescue plan is winding its way through the Senate, and state legislators are attempting to respond to a dizzying array of concerns, including fears that the bill is too complex, too experimental, and doesn’t quite go far enough to create a sustainable system. According to its own estimate, Houston has...
April 24, 2017
Health Care
Insurance Failures Expose ObamaCare Fatal Flaw
How many failures of ObamaCare must we suffer before we accept that it can’t work?
April 21, 2017
Property Rights
New Poll: Majority of Austinites Oppose Homesharing Regulations
A new poll asked Austin-area residents to voice their views on the city’s short-term rental restrictions and, not surprisingly, most people opposed the heavy-handed regulations. The poll, published today and conducted by pollster Peter Zandan, surveyed “800-plus people” and found that 42 percent of respondents oppose Austin’s STR regulation while only 31 percent support the...
April 20, 2017
Criminal Justice
It’s time to end civil asset forfeiture
The ability to unilaterally seize and keep property—with little recourse to the individual—is no different. The administrative swamp is deep and its reach broad, making it liable to ensnare many people whose sole transgression is being an easy target.
April 19, 2017
Economy
ICYMI: Senator Gramm Encourages the Legislature on Annexation Reform
Former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm penned a fantastic letter last week addressed to every member of the Texas Legislature, encouraging lawmakers to finally bring an end forced annexation. Here’s an excerpt from the memo: “The Texas Legislature appears to be on the verge of ending forced annexation. I want to applaud you for your work...
April 19, 2017
K-12 Education
Solving Texas’ Flawed School Finance System
Texans deserve a simpler school finance system that best meets the needs of students and taxpayers.
April 18, 2017
K-12 Education
Center for Public Policy Priorities’ report, Policy Analysis: “Revised Senate Voucher Bill Still Drains State Dollars from Public Schools”
Texas lawmakers are currently considering whether to enact legislation creating two educational choice programs: education savings accounts (ESAs) and tax-credit scholarships. Predictably, this has drawn the ire of groups interested in preserving the status quo. In a recent report, Ann Beeson of the Center for Public Policy Priorities claims, “Vouchers – by any name –...
April 18, 2017
K-12 Education
Education Choice in the Lone Star State
The Texas Senate recently passed Senate Bill 3, which would create a program to provide parents with educational choices to best meet their children’s needs. Given the overwhelming research showing that this would benefit Texans, legislators should strongly consider passing SB 3 into law. SB 3 would provide education savings accounts (ESA) and tax-credit scholarships...
April 18, 2017
Family
HB 205: Court-Ordered Family Services
Testimony before the House Human Services Committee by Brandon Logan, J.D., CWLS
April 17, 2017