Homeless in Austin What to know: The city of Austin cleared out dozens of homeless encampments. They didn’t stay cleared. The TPPF take: As Austin demonstrates, devoting more money to poor policy does not solve the problem of homelessness. “The data suggest the problem may be worsening, despite the ample resources devoted to it,” says TPPF’s John Bonura. “Thus,...
We’re Not Ashamed to Love America What to know: Time magazine seems uncomfortable with the Fourth of July celebrations and the larger observance of America’s 250th birthday. It warns that “America’s 250th should not become an active celebration of people who enslaved other human beings.” The TPPF take: Hating on America is quite fashionable these days—but it’s still wrong....
Detransitioning What to know: The Texas Children’s Hospital has until the end of the year to establish a “detransition clinic” for former gender modification patients, as part of its settlement with the state of Texas. The TPPF take: One of those former patients, Soren Aldaco, appears on a new TPPF podcast talking about her life and her struggles. Just...
Halting Harris County What to Know: Yet again, Texas courts have halted Harris County activists. On Friday, the Texas Supreme Court put a stop to a county program that “provide[d] taxpayer-funded legal defense to illegal immigrants facing deportation,” finding that it likely violates the state constitution. The TPPF take: Progressive activists in Harris County continue to bend, if not...
Big News in the Bay Area What to know: Even the San Francisco Chronicle is covering TPPF’s new lawsuit against the city of Oakland for its decision to fine a couple nearly $1 million for removing dead and dying trees from their own property. The TPPF take: The city’s actions constitute an uncompensated taking of private property. “You can...
Independence Day What to know: America will soon celebrate her 250th birthday. The TPPF take: It’s time for a renewal of civic literacy. “Civic literacy is not a conservative or liberal project; it is a prerequisite for democratic self-rule,” says TPPF’s Richard Johnson. “As James Madison warned, a people who mean to govern themselves must arm themselves with knowledge. Stated...
Central Texas Fat Cats What to know: Superintendent salaries are sky-high. For instance, in the Central Texas area, the Lake Travis ISD superintendent took home “$468,716” this year, excluding benefits. The TPPF take: Every dollar spent on supersized salaries is a dollar that doesn’t make it to the classroom. “Classrooms are starved for resources. Teachers are living...
Don’t Vermont My Texas What to know: On a recent visit to Texas, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders urged “raising the federal minimum wage to $20 an hour, freezing rents, improving healthcare, expanding Social Security, curbing corporate political donations and passing ‘Medicare for all.’” The TPPF take: Radical leftists threaten a socialist takeover. But freedom-loving Texans will fight to keep...
Teaching the Truth What to know: The Texas State Board of Education has approved new standards for social studies and literature for Texas school children. The TPPF take: The SBOE stood up to incredible pressure to wokify social studies and the reading lists. “This is a major win for Texas parents who value literacy, critical thinking, and the...
Citizenship at the Ballot Box What to know: Los Angeles will let voters decide whether illegal immigrants should be allowed to vote in city elections. The TPPF take: When did citizenship become optional at the ballot box? “For most Americans, the answer is straightforward: Voting is a right reserved for citizens,” says TPPF’s Josh Findlay. “Yet the Los Angeles...
An Important Pause What to know: Texas’ Public Utility Commission has put plans for a massive transmission line project on hold. The TPPF take: While the pause is good news, what is needed is a full stop until the Legislature meets in 2027. “The decision by the PUC to defer action on this first section of the 765-kV lines...
Taking a Stand What to know: Conservatives on the Conroe ISD school board declined to nominate a member to the Texas Association of School Boards’ governing body, “citing disagreements with the organization’s left-leaning policy positions.” During the last legislative session, TASB was heavily criticized for its positions on taxpayer-funded lobbying, parental rights, and DEI. The TPPF take: Conroe...