Energy & Environment
The tangled web of the Commerce Clause
Penalties for taking a protected species range up to a $50,000 fine and/or a year in federal prison.
December 17, 2015
Property Rights
Bureau of Land Management shows contempt for property rights
For nearly seven years, affected property owners along the river tried to settle these disputed titles with BLM. And for nearly seven years (and counting), BLM failed to come to the table.
December 17, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Texas’ business tax climate ranks 10th best
To advance the Texas model and improve its competitive advantage by having the best possible business tax climate, the Tax Foundation’s report provides evidence that the margin tax has to go.
December 15, 2015
Property Rights
Federal agency stakes a claim to ranchers’ Red River land
Nonetheless, BLM claims all of that is riverbed, and the federal government owns it.
December 15, 2015
Taxes & Spending
40 percent of DISD schools receive failing grade
Based on the evidence and the fact that more than 40 percent of DISD’s schools received a failing grade, it’s clear that the district, and others like it, are in need of significant policy improvement—and that more money isn’t the answer.
December 15, 2015
K-12 Education
What Texas can learn from Las Vegas
The parent receives a debit card, good only for approved educational services, and they can shop around to find what best serves the needs of each of their children.
December 15, 2015
Economy
Economic freedom close to home
As recently as 2012, the Institute for Justice ranked Texas as having the 17th-most-burdensome low-income occupational licensing requirements in the nation.
December 14, 2015
Criminal Justice
Criminalizing moving apps hurts Texas
If Texas wants to retain its status as the envy of the nation in terms of opportunity and economic growth, it must not allow government to restrict the advance of the free market to the point of criminalization just to serve the narrow business interest of industry incumbents.
December 11, 2015
Taxes & Spending
BRB: Local debt in Texas is among the highest in the nation
Texas also ranks poorly on a per capita basis. Compared to its large state peers, Texas’ local debt per capita ranks as the second highest burden, with each Texan owing $8,350 for his or her share. Only New York’s local debt per capita totaled more, with each New Yorker owing more than $10,600.
December 10, 2015
Energy & Environment
Secret science and open society
The fact is, it is easier to get access to classified government material than it is to see the science behind the policies being promoted in Paris even though public government funds pay for this science.
December 9, 2015
Criminal Justice
Workforce options beyond ‘ban-the-box’ can help offenders
When offenders are employed, the Lone Star State's tax revenue increases while its prison expenditures decrease - a win-win for all parties involved.
December 9, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Competitive contracting – dull but effective
TPPF reports that League City stands to save between $30 million to $56 million annually – a reduction of roughly 15 to 28 percent from recent spending levels – by simply contracting their services out to private providers.
December 7, 2015