Economy
HB 3664: A Bouquet of Central Planning
Bill analysis by House Bill 3664: A Bouquet of Central Planning
April 28, 2017
Economy
SB 845: Creating Value and Deconstructing Economic Barriers
J.D. Rimann's testimony on Senate Bill 845: Creating Value and Deconstructing Economic Barriers
April 28, 2017
Property Rights
Time to Defend Our Property Rights
In response to the creeping “Californiazation of Texas,” Governor Abbott called for a “broad-based ban on regulations at the local level.” This week, the House Land & Resource Management Committee responded to that call by voting House Bill 3787 out of committee. The bill, as filed by Representative Cecil Bell, would prohibit cities and counties...
April 28, 2017
Health Care
Pushing granny off the cliff, again
This commentary originally appeared on The Gilmer Mirror on April 27, 2017. Grandma in her wheelchair is back on the ledge. Do we want a new tax pushing her over? Texas’ elder population cannot get the care they need. Resources are insufficient such as: lack of support to avoid institutionalization; inadequate numbers of nurses; lower skill levels...
April 27, 2017
Economy
SB 2178: A Preemptive Strike to Strengthen the Lone Star Economy
Currently, it is very difficult for individuals to challenge local licensing laws, which require additional licensing requirements imposed on state-licensee holders by municipalities SB 2178 institutes a judicial relief mechanism to make it easier for state licensees to challenge these types of local regulations and shifts the burden of proof onto local governments to prove...
April 27, 2017
Criminal Justice
United, Ferguson, Abu-Ghraib, And The L.A. Riots At 25: Lessons Learned
Organizations with authority over others are vulnerable to any suggestion that they are abusing their power. Further, while corporations must correct bad behavior or risk going out of business, government often just continues with business as usual.
April 27, 2017
Health Care
A proven way for Texas lawmakers to improve primary health care access
The shortage of primary care providers isn't just a rural issue. Shortages are found in major metropolitan areas and impact Texans of all coverage stripes — those with private insurance, no insurance, CHIP or Medicaid. A recent survey by Dallas-based Merritt Hawkins showed the nationwide average wait time to see a family practice physician in mid-sized cities was up to 122 days. That’s four months to find out if your belly pain is gas, an ulcer or cancer.
April 27, 2017
Economy
HB 3287 & SB 2083: Trouble Is Brewing in the Texas Beer Market
Bill Analysis for HB 3287 & SB 2083.
April 26, 2017
Local Government
Trump represents unprecedented opportunity for conservative reform
This commentary originally appeared in The Dallas Morning News on April 25, 2017. This column is part of a series of columns and news articles examining President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. The Dallas Morning News asked Texas conservative thinkers to write on the question: What does it mean to be conservative during the...
April 25, 2017
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