Health Care
SB 430: Improving Access to Dental Care
Improving Access to Dental Care: Testimony on Senate Bill 430 by Dr. Deane Waldman, MD MBA, Director of the Center for Health Care Policy.
March 8, 2017
Taxes & Spending
No Need to Loot Texas’ Rainy Day Fund
The House supplemental appropriations bill (HB 2) appropriates state funds for the 2016-17 budget beyond the limit of the Conservative Texas Budget (CTB) and appropriates $1.4 billion from the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF), commonly called the “Rainy Day Fund.” Neither of these are necessary; the Texas Legislature should finish the current budget cycle by using...
March 7, 2017
K-12 Education
Education Freedom in the 21st Century? Not if you’re poor and living in Texas
No child should be relegated to a failing school simply because of where they live. That is not freedom.
March 7, 2017
Property Rights
Ending Forced Annexation
State law currently allows cities to expand their boundaries by annexing outlying areas, though the process fails to account for property owners’ wishes. This form of forced annexation means that cities do not have to get approval from rural residents through a public election and are able to impose new regulations, higher taxes and even...
March 6, 2017
Economy
Stop the rising burden of Texas’ debt and public pensions
The rising burden of Texas’ state debt and public pensions must be stopped.
March 5, 2017
Energy & Environment
The EPA must be more forthcoming about who they use as sources for their regulations — here’s how
The purpose of the EPA is to safeguard the environment and individuals' health. However, to do so there must be a standardized process and unfettered public access to evidence used in creating regulation.
March 5, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Texas House Proposes Big Property Tax Changes
Major property tax reform appears to be on the horizon. In response to growing public angst over soaring property tax bills, leaders in the Texas House are proposing House Bill 15, the Property Taxpayer Empowerment Act. Among other things, the bill would lower the rollback tax rate from 8 percent to 4 percent and require...
March 3, 2017
Taxes & Spending
SB 142: Simplify Texas’ Business Franchise Tax Until Elimination
Dr. Vance Ginn's testimony before the Senate Finance Committee in support of simplifying Texas' business franchise tax and SB 142.
March 3, 2017
Property Rights
ICYMI: UT/TT Poll Confirms Texans Yearn for Property Tax Reform
A new poll is spotlighting the fact that property taxes in Texas are out of control, and Texans consider lower property taxes a top Legislative priority. The UT/Texas Tribune poll, conducted Feb. 3-10, 217, asked Texans to identify the Legislature’s top priority and found that lowering property taxes was the overall top choice, getting 20...
March 3, 2017
Economy
California Lurches For A Carbon Tax After Consecutive Greenhouse Gas Auction Failures
For the fourth time in a row California’s cap-and-trade auction for greenhouse gas emissions fell flat, raising only $8.2 million out of a hoped for $600 million, leaving revenues $1.9 billion short over the past 12 months.
March 2, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Invisible Governments: Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones
Bryan Mathew, Center for Local Governance, testified before the House Committee on Special Purpose Districts.
March 2, 2017
Taxes & Spending
In Support of Voter Approval for Pension Obligation Bonds
Should Houstonians be given a chance to vote on the issuance of $1 billion of pension obligation bonds (POBs) as part of the city’s overall reform package? Absolutely. With the possible exception of certificates of obligation issued for emergency purposes, local government debt should almost always be accompanied by a public vote. After all, it’s...
March 1, 2017