Criminal Justice
Midland mischief-makers: Detention, suspension or jail time?
Children who fail to show up to school can be jailed, ensuring that they will not show up to school in the future.
May 4, 2015
Economy
Group files lawsuit against the City of Dallas over controversial plastic bag restrictions
In August 2014, then-Attorney General Greg Abbott issued an advisory opinion finding that municipal ordinances restricting or prohibiting single-use plastic bags were likely in violation of existing state law. Ignoring the AG’s advice, the City of Dallas began implementing its 5-cent per plastic bag fee anyway in January 2015—and now the city could be in legal hot water.
May 1, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Texas Senate scores a big win for Texas taxpayers
In the course of debating Senate Bill 1760—a bill to increase transparency and accountability in the local property tax system—Senators overwhelmingly approved the adoption of a floor amendment to require local governments to reach a higher voting threshold before raising property taxes.
May 1, 2015
Higher Education
To STEM or not to STEM? That is not the question
Until our academic culture embraces again what is truly higher in higher education—our capacity to discover Truth—expect still more exoduses from the liberal arts, regardless of how much attention STEM studies receive.
April 30, 2015
Economy
The continued assault on the craft beer industry
Like many states, Texas operates under a three-tiered system regulating the alcohol industry. In this system producers, distributors, and retailers must remain separate entities and cannot share ownership or coordinate their activities. The system was enacted with the intent of preventing monopolistic practices, but in reality gives a great deal of power to distributors, the middlemen in this system, and allows them to hold considerable sway in the overall trends in the marketplace.
April 30, 2015
Energy & Environment
Testimony: Regulation & Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
"Testimony: Regulation & Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions" is Center for Energy & the Environment Policy Analyst Leigh Thompson's testimony before the International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives in opposition to House Bill 2080.
April 29, 2015
Economy
Testimony: Lower the Expense, Not the Bar
"Testimony: Lower the Expense, Not the Bar" is Center for Economic Freedom policy analyst Kathleen Hunker's testimony on House Bill 2045.
April 29, 2015
Economy
Local debt: How does Texas compare?
Among the top ten most populous states in the nation, local debt in the Lone Star State was the second highest overall, at $219.7 billion. Only California’s local governments had amassed more, at $269.2 billion.
April 28, 2015
Economy
Islands of freedom in seas of big government
On Monday, the Texas Intergovernmental Affairs Committee heard Senate Bill 710, which would allow Texans in unincorporated areas to protect their freedom from big-city taxes and regulations by incorporating “liberty cities.”
April 28, 2015
Taxes & Spending
How nixing a business tax will help all Texans
Eliminating the margins tax would be the best course to take the Texas model to the next level as the nation’s and world’s beacon of opportunity.
April 28, 2015
Economy
Texas jobs update: Lowest unemployment rate in March since July 2007
Recently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Summary for March 2015. The following is a recap that highlights the report for the states with the largest populations and economies.
April 24, 2015
Taxes & Spending
Don’t let tax relief disagreements hurt Texans
The 84th Texas Legislature may break that mold by restraining spending to needs rather than wants while providing historic tax relief.
April 21, 2015