A Taxing Christmas? What to know: Californians had a more expensive Christmas than most of us, primarily because of bad policies. Topping the list of higher costs is electricity, which is often twice as high as the national average. The TPPF take: California’s energy problems are entirely self-inflicted. “Back when I served in the California State Assembly from...
CAFE Standards What to know: Fifty years ago, Congress enacted the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. They have been a failure. The TPPF take: The CAFE standards forced automakers to subsidize EV production to offset gas-powered vehicles that fell below the standards. “Every Chevrolet Volt sold allowed GM to sell multiple large SUVs without...
Strengthening the Grid What to know: Is the Texas electric grid ready for winter? ERCOT says probably. The TPPF take: Texas has strengthened its grid, but it’s still vulnerable to winter storms. “Following the 2021 winter storm Uri, Texas lawmakers passed comprehensive legislation requiring power plants and natural gas infrastructure to meet winter weatherization standards,” says TPPF’s Cullen Neely....
Bye Bye Bye What to know: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas can eliminate school property taxes for homeowners by consistently applying state surplus to the problem. The state’s surplus totaled $33 billion in 2023 and $24 billion in 2025. The TPPF take: Gov. Abbott is right—the Legislature has ample resources to solve this problem without disrupting core...
Stop the Steal What to know: For years, state lawmakers have tried to cut property taxes in a major way. However, those efforts have been eroded or reversed by local decisions to hike rates, borrow heavily, and spend large. Now the Texas governor is proposing to “limit local government spending growth to population and inflation, or 3.5%, the...
A Little Less Expensive What to know: President Donald Trump has rolled back some of the Biden administration’s fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. The TPPF take: Biden had declared that all vehicles would have to achieve get 50.1 miles to the gallon by 2031. Trump rolled that back to 34.5. “This move will likely make cars cheaper,”...
That’s Not Surprising What to know: A newly released study shows that “Two years after the imposition of a student cell phone ban, student test scores in a large urban school district were significantly higher than before.” The TPPF take: Cell phones are a harmful distraction for students. “The research on personal device use demonstrates a significant impact on...
Better Serving Those Who Served What to know: States throughout the nation are expanding Veterans Treatment Courts, steering veterans in trouble “toward accountability and recovery.” The TPPF take: Veteran offenders must not be allowed to fall through the cracks of any criminal justice system when their service experience contributed to their offense. “Far too many of our...
Monstrous What to know: Writing in Real Clear Education, a former teacher lays out how she was instructed to hide students’ gender confusion—and use of other names or pronouns—from their parents: “I felt that this new policy forced me to betray parents’ trust.” The TPPF take: Not in Texas anymore. “Senate Bill 12—the Parents’ Bill of Rights—prohibits...
Keeping the Lights On What to know: Energy affordability has become “the kitchen table issue of the 2020s,” analyst William Murray writes. The TPPF take: Rising energy prices are due to policies dating back to the Biden administration. “Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act — only now going into effect, so any electricity price increases to this...
Busted What to know: After voters rejected the city of Austin’s 20% tax rate hike, officials claimed that they’d have to cut spending dramatically and in the worst ways imaginable. But as it turns out, “the city’s core spending will still increase this fiscal year compared to the last,” meaning it was all one big lie....
If We Make it Through December What to know: Energy prices are beginning to rise, even as winter approaches. The TPPF take: Biden’s green energy fiasco, not Trump’s reforms, is jacking up your electric bill. “Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act — only now going into effect, so any electricity price increases to this point aren’t due...