Economy
Brooke Rollins’ to Texas Senators
Read Brooke Rollins' on title insurance she sent to Texas Senators.
February 10, 2017
Health Care
Doctor-Politicians Treat Sick Health Care Poorly: Time to Kick Washington Out of the Doctor’s Chair
Don’t start fussing over the details. There it is – a simple workable U.S. health care system, understandable by anyone, fiscally sustainable, responsive to local needs, that restores “power to the people,” as the new president promised in his Inaugural speech
February 10, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Pension Debt Nears $67 B
Unfunded liabilities, or the difference between what’s been promised to future retirees and what’s actually on hand to provide for those benefits, surged to $66.5 billion, according to the Pension Review Board’s latest actuarial figures for January 2017. That’s an increase of $3.2 billion since the last report in November 2016 and over $6 billion...
February 8, 2017
K-12 Education
States, Not the Feds, Should Lead Education Reform
Too often, well-intentioned, conservative executives end up using federal power to heal the wounds caused by the very same bludgeon—federal power.
February 7, 2017
Taxes & Spending
How Does Texas’ Local Debt Compare?
Answer: Quite poorly. According to the Bond Review Board’s latest annual report, Texas’ local debt per capita ($8,350) ranks as the 2nd highest amount owed among the top ten most populous states. Only New York’s per capita amount ($10,646) ranked higher in the latest ratings. In terms of the aggregate amount owed by Texas’ local...
February 6, 2017
Health Care
Our National Problems Require An Entrepreneurial Approach, Not A Bureaucratic One
Bureaucrats do what they think they can. Entrepreneurs and doctors do whatever it takes!
February 6, 2017
Taxes & Spending
The STaR Fund: A Budget-Cutting Tool for Texas
Texas House rules allow legislators to appropriate money cut from one program to another more preferred agency. This provides little opportunity for legislators to actually cut ineffective or excessive areas of the budget, leaving many legislators understandably frustrated with the budget process. For example, if legislators cut $1 million from the Arts Commission’s budget, it...
February 6, 2017
K-12 Education
School choice would benefit Texas and RGV
Too many children in low-income families, many of whom are minorities, are stuck in failing public schools in underfunded school districts and are forced into subpar classrooms.
February 5, 2017
Criminal Justice
My Turn: Alaska’s criminal justice reform efforts should be celebrated
Conservative state leaders across the country have shown repeatedly that smart, forward-thinking criminal justice changes can avoid huge bills for taxpayers. Further, these reforms do not mean that crime rates will rise.
February 4, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Texas’ 2018-19 Budget Items that Exceed Conservative Texas Budget Growth Limit
The Conservative Texas Budget (CTB) is one where biennial appropriations (General Appropriations Act and supplemental appropriations, when available) of state funds (excludes federal funds) and all funds—the footprint of government—increase by no more than population growth plus inflation. The 2018-19 CTB limits are $147.5 billion in state funds and $218.5 billion in all funds. ...
February 3, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Texas Legislature Should Pass Tax Relief, Spending Limit Reform, and Budget Transparency
The Conservative Texas Budget Coalition’s key fiscal priorities for the 2017 Texas Legislature would support more economic prosperity for all Texans. The Foundation applauds much of what Governor Abbott said in his State of the State speech and included in his budget proposal to make these priorities a reality by advancing the case for the...
February 3, 2017
Economy
Texas Needs the Best Price
Due to price-fixing by the state, title insurance in Texas costs $2,663 for a $300,000 home, the fifth highest cost in the nation; $703 above the median price of states with lower prices. 84% of the cost goes for expenses and profit.
February 2, 2017