Although no one likes to pay taxes, they are an inevitable part of funding core government functions. As such, the Texas Legislature’s challenge is to develop an efficient tax system that provides necessary revenue while doing the least economic harm.
As Texas, the nation’s second largest state, moves through its biennial legislative session, a simple, short transparency bill has been proposed in both houses that would lift the veil hiding a little-known but nonetheless devastating crisis in higher education—grade inflation.
Too many Americans are being deprived of their liberty, held in jail when they shouldn’t be, and the result is out-of-control local government spending on ineffective criminal justice systems—funds that could be better put to use elsewhere.
Angered over the net neutrality ruling, Verizon issued a statement in Morse code, complaining that the "FCC's 'Throwback Thursday' move imposes 1930s rules on the Internet." Whatever you may think about the FCC's ruling, let's at least all concede Verizon succeeded in trolling (nay shaming) the government with class.
On Tuesday, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Senate leaders unveiled a $4.6 billion package for sweeping tax relief. The package consists of three bills: SB 1 and SB 7, filed by Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, and SB 8, filed by Senator Schwertner. This package advances the showdown among state officials to see who...
The very best way, and perhaps the only way, to significantly improve our public schools is through school choice and, therefore, the magic of free enterprise dynamics.
While jails will always be necessary for public safety, only as a last resort should we trap defendants indefinitely behind the front door of the criminal justice system.
With 1.7 million veterans calling Texas home — more than every other state except California — this is the place where bold policies designed to help brave military men and women can be a model for other states.
This testimony covers remarks today from James Quintero, that focus on three policy areas—property taxes, financial transparency, and local debt. He also offers some suggestions as to how each area might be improved via special purpose district reform.
By effectively limiting spending, we applaud the Senate for including $4 billion in tax cuts in their proposal. More money in the pockets of Texans is the best path to fueling job creation.
American public schools have seen a huge increase in inflation-adjusted expenditures over the past 60 years with little to show for it. School performance has less to do with dollars and much to do with teacher quality, system flexibility, parental involvement, and English proficiency.
In this edition of the Heartland Daily Podcast, Research Fellow Sean Parnell sits down with Texas Public Policy Foundation’s John Davidson. Davidson discusses his latest paper, “Medicaid Expansion by Another Name,” which describes the largely unsuccessful efforts of several Republican governors to get even modest reforms of Medicaid in exchange for expanding the program under Obamacare.