A Donkey in Elephant’s Clothing What to know: Texas state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat from Austin, is out with a new ad in her campaign for governor: “Welcome to Texas, y’all, where we celebrate freedom from big government.” The TPPF take: The hypocrisy is astounding. “Hinojosa’s ad isn’t taking issue with the cameras; Hinojosa herself has no objection...
Freezing Confidence What to know: According to a TPPF/Overton Insights poll, a whopping 57.1% of likely Texas voters are either “not too confident” or “not at all confident” in the electric grid’s ability to reliably provide power during extreme cold. The TPPF take: The Texas grid is now in a situation where the winter period,...
Your Grade is [REDACTED] What to know: Freshmen at the University of Michigan next year will get a semester-long break from having letter grades appear on their transcripts as school officials look for new ways to combat the “mental health crisis” affecting higher education. The TPPF take: It’s a transcript witness protection program because the University of Michigan has...
Working 9-5 What to know: Professors at Texas A&M-Victoria are outraged by an “abrupt policy change” that requires all full-time faculty to spend 40 hours a week on campus, as dictated by Senate Bill 2615, passed last legislative session. The TPPF take: It wasn’t that abrupt. Senate Bill 2615 passed the Texas Legislature on May 30, 2025. “When the...
Trim the Fat What to know: The University of Houston announced that the Board of Regents has cut 40% of its core curriculum classes, in alignment with Gov. Abbott’s directive to develop a three-year degree option. The TPPF take: Few could argue these courses were integral to a college education. “Almost all the media reported that classes...
Where’s the money? What to know: Texas has recently increased funding for public education and charter grants by nearly $8.5 billion. Despite this, teachers warn that the spending might not be enough to meet challenges facing public education. The TPPF take: State spending must come with rigorous financial accountability. “Texans expect their hard-earned tax dollars to go towards providing students...
$50 Trillion Debt What to know: U.S. national debt now exceeds $40 trillion or more than $116,500 owed per citizen. A new report now warns that: “US government debt is on a path to reach 50 trillion dollars within the next six years.” The TPPF take: The nation’s finances are a disaster. We need a...
Beef Prices What to know: The U.S. has resumed importing beef cattle from Mexico, following the New World screwworm outbreak. The TPPF take: Cartels are exploiting Mexico’s cattle trade, even as Americans pay more for imported beef. “Mexican cartels have worked their way into Mexico’s cattle business, extorting ranchers, controlling sales, and corrupting the records...
The Texas Caliphate What to know: Islamists in Texas are building their “largest stronghold in the US with hundreds of mosques, networks linked to Hamas, and powerful sources of income,” a new report says. The TPPF take: In light of this Islamist threat, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called for legislation prohibiting public schools from accepting foreign money...
One-Time Funding and Ongoing Costs What to know: Bexar County (home to San Antonio) has spent millions of dollars of federal COVID-19 relief funds on expenses that don’t go away—like the pandemic funds did. The TPPF take: County officials lament that they used $10 million they got during COVID-19 to create permanent programs—and now they don’t have the funding...
Oxford Blues What to know: The Oxford Union, a debating society dating back to 1823 at the University of Oxford, has rejected free speech and open debate for political correctness, one writer for The Spectator reports. The TPPF take: TPPF’s Greg Sindelar recently spoke at the Oxford Union, and defended conservative ideas. “Conservatism is not a fixed policy menu from a...
If it Walks Like a Terrorist, and Talks… What to know: The New York Times claims Texas is targeting Muslims due to “Islamophobia.” The TPPF take: Islamic extremists have hijacked many of the organizations and institutes in question. “Hostile foreign actors are using soft power to gain influence over American education,” says TPPF’s Kate Bierly. “They provide money, curriculum, teacher...