K-12 Education
SB 3: Benefits of Education Choice to Texans
Testimony before the Texas Senate Education Committee for SB 3 continued by Vance Ginn, Ph.D., "Benefits of Education Choice to Texans."
March 21, 2017
Economy
The Texas Model Bolsters Migration To Texas Cities
To continue to attract entrepreneurs and workers from all across America, Texas policymakers need to build on the Lone Star State’s competitive advantages in taxation—the Tax Foundation puts Texas’ state and local tax burden as the 46th-lowest in the nation—and light and predictable regulation.
March 20, 2017
Higher Education
It’s High Time To End Right Supremacy
But there’s another, fundamental step we need to take if we are truly serious about eradicating all distinctions among human beings: Dexterity equality.
March 17, 2017
Economy
HB 100: Cutting the Ridesharing Red Tape
Bryan Mathew, Center for Local Governance, testimony before the House Committee on Transportation
March 16, 2017
Local Government
House GOP ObamaCare replacement puts cronyism before patients
And to add insult to injury, the House bill, dubbed the American Health Care Act, provides a bucket of hard earned taxpayer money to shore up insurance companies as they try to navigate a continued top-down federal regulatory regime.
March 15, 2017
Economy
SB 99: Playing to the Gallery: Preferential Tax Treatments to Moving Image Industry Not Worth the Costs
Hollywood sells dreams; so do supporters of film incentives. Yet the promotion of economic benefits of film incentives while ignoring the costs is being increasingly panned by the critics around the country as states are considering cutting or repealing their film incentives. Similarly, SB 99 would repeal the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program.
March 14, 2017
Economy
SB 105: Corporate Welfare and the Texas Event Trust Funds: SB 105
Corporate welfare, also known as economic development, is widely used throughout Texas and the nation. From local tax abatements to the Export-Import Bank, governments provide billions of dollars each year in benefits to businesses in an attempt to improve the outcomes of the marketplace. In Texas alone, tax abatements, renewable energy subsidies, development incentives, and...
March 14, 2017
Taxes & Spending
How Big are Property Taxes in Texas?
Very big. In fiscal 2015, more than 4,100 local governments levied property taxes totaling $52.2 billion or about $1,900 from every man, woman, and child in the Lone Star State. That’s up by a staggering $11.7 billion since 2011 ($1,578 levied per capita). That the burden has become so big and is growing so fast...
March 14, 2017
Family
HB 871 & HB 1620: Community Support for Children and Families
Testimony before the House Human Services Committee in support of HB 871 and HB 1620 by Brandon Logan.
March 13, 2017
Health Care
Texas and Medicaid: How big can you dream?
The GOP just released the American Health Care Act, which turns out to be more amend-and-enhance than repeal-and-replace. Their plan does not repeal the federal mandates that control spending in Texas. This makes it even more imperative that Texas gain control over its own budget. It is time for Texas to dream big: Get Chapter 537 approved by CMS to put control of Texas Medicaid where it belongs — in Texas’ hands.
March 13, 2017
K-12 Education
Rethinking Accountability of Texas Schools
The public deserves transparency and accountability in government institutions. In an education choice marketplace, accountability rests with the consumer. When parents are the consumer, and they have real choices, they can best assess how their children are doing. That is the ultimate in accountability.
March 12, 2017
Local Government
Yes, 51 Senators Can Fully Repeal Obamacare
After eight years of promising to fully repeal Obamacare, Congress hasn’t even tried to do so in a process requiring just 51 votes in the Senate.
March 10, 2017