The State of Texas, America First Policy Institute1 (“AFPI”), and the Texas Public Policy Foundation2
(“TPPF”) submit this comment on the priorities proposed by the U.S. Department of Education on April 19, 2021, under the title Proposed Priorities—American History and Civics Education, 86 Fed. Reg. 20348. Because the proposed priorities are unlawful, foster racism and factionalism, promote misinformation of students, and undermine civic unity, we urge that you decline to adopt the proposed priorities and withdraw the proposal, or alternatively adopt proposed priorities that promote civics education that nourishes the growth of an informed citizenry united around our common commitment to the most American of all propositions, “that all men are created equal.”
Taxes & Spending
Assessing Tax Trends in the City of Austin
Does history suggest that property taxes are too high in the city of Austin? And, if so, have local decision-makers actively helped or hurt the situation? To help answer these questions, let’s review the city’s 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and gather four types of data—i.e., tax levies, local population, total tax rates, and taxable values—over a 10-year time horizon. Using these audited estimates, we can gauge the growth of government (i.e., tax levy trends), assess its reasonability...
February 19, 2026