Economy
Bag ordinance isn’t local control — it’s local government overreach
Whatever the outcome of the lawsuit, we should all agree that local governments ought to observe and abide by state law.
May 13, 2015
Health Care
Obama’s Medicaid extortion gambit
In other words, the feds are attempting to force the hand of these states, which have declined to expand Medicaid.
May 13, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Last-minute amendment could put brakes on tax hikes
Almost any way you cut it, it’s become clear that long-term structural reform is needed to protect Texans moving forward. Long-lasting changes, similar to what’s been proposed by the Texas Senate, are of the utmost importance.
May 12, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Testimony: Franchise Tax Reform Benefits Texans
"Testimony: Franchise Tax Reform Benefits Texans" includes Dr. Vance Ginn's testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of Senate Bill 7, which pertains to the franchise tax.
May 12, 2015
Higher Education
The future of an illusion: The higher-ed ‘finding cuts’ myth
One can only hope that the evidence provided by Campos, Ginsberg, and others will drive a stake through the heart of the 'funding-cuts-made-us-raise-tuitions' myth. But don’t count on that happening just yet.
May 11, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Some want school district debt to rise even further
According to the latest Bond Review Board data, total school district debt, including principal and interest, grew to more than $112.2 billion in fiscal year 2014—more than any other type of local government. Compared to the whole, school district debt accounts for about one-third of the total.
May 11, 2015
K-12 Education
Texas needs freedom in education
Universal schooling means little if children born into poverty are assigned to schools that fail their genius. I cannot stand up and oppose parents having options, because research shows that when parents have options, kids win.
May 11, 2015
Economy
Two approaches to reducing poverty – only one works
The longstanding liberal approach is to levy high, progressive taxes to redistribute wealth from the haves to the have-nots; implement large government programs to assist the poor; and meddle with housing markets, using government rules to force the construction of low income housing. This is the California model.
May 7, 2015
Other
Event recap: Free Speech and the Non-profit Community
On Tuesday, TPPF hosted its first debate at the Joe B. Hogsett Theater on the issue of freedom of association versus forced disclosure. The issue examines whether it is a right of the individual or for the overall public good that donations to “politically active” non-profit groups be publicly revealed.
May 7, 2015
Energy & Environment
Why does EPA administrator Gina McCarthy hate Texas?
How? By taking control of the electricity sector of the economy, which forces states and utilities to pick energy fuels by the 'content of their carbon' rather than price, affordability, reliability, or any of the other metrics utilities use to perform in the marketplace.
May 5, 2015
Economy
Testimony: Liberty Cities May Be Small, But They’re A Really Big Deal
"Testimony: Liberty Cities May Be Small, But They’re A Really Big Deal" includes Center for Local Governance Senior Policy Analyst Jess Field's support for Senate Bill 710.
May 5, 2015
Energy & Environment
Just say no to Clean Power Plan
Recently, squabbles over which states intend to comply with the Clean Power Plan have emerged. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through the Clean Power Plan, seeks to extend its regulatory tentacles out to everything that has an effect on carbon dioxide emission.
May 5, 2015