Living Large at Taxpayer Expense What to know: The Austin American-Statesman recently investigated the city of Austin’s spending proclivities and discovered that: “Austin leaders used taxpayer funds for [fancy] solo lunches, steak dinners and upgraded flights,” among other things. The controversial findings come as Austin officials are debating whether to ask voters for a major...
Local Liberty Trumps Local Control What to know: The Dallas Morning News’ editorial board is no fan of the Legislature’s super-preemption law (aka the Death Star), arguing that: “state lawmakers should step in with targeted policies only in cases necessary to address local problems in which the whole state has a compelling interest.” The TPPF...
Rebuilding in the Hill Country What to know: Volunteers remain committed to rebuilding areas in the Texas Hill Country that were devastated by deadly flooding in July. The TPPF take: When official response was delayed by red tape, volunteers stepped up. “This wasn’t just a natural disaster,” says TPPF’s Ammon Blair. “It was a cascading...
The Death Star What to know: TPPF attorneys, representing Dallas residents, could sue over 133 city of Dallas ordinances that are in conflict with state law. The TPPF take: The bill preempts, and makes unenforceable, city ordinances that duplicate and add to regulations already imposed by the State of Texas. “All Texans deserve the freedom...
Stop Digging What to know: A school district in northeast Bexar County, Judson ISD, was recently discovered to be “paying an outside consultant $1,500 a day to help the school board understand the budget and reduce the deficit.” This outrageous expense comes at a time when the ISD is facing a $37 million deficit for...
That Was It What to know: An NPR whistleblower—who was fired after sounding the alarm about NPR’s bias—says that its leftward lurch resulted in its defunding. The TPPF take: Taxpayers shouldn’t be funding a biased “news” outlet like NPR. “NPR and PBS have always been among the most biased news sources, because they don’t even...
Smaller Government What to know: The Washington Post reveals that the Trump administration is intent on reducing the size and scope of government. The TPPF take: That’s exactly what the American people voted for. “This week, Trump won at the Supreme Court again when the high court ruled he could fire 1,300 employees at the...
School Supplies What to know: Cell phones won’t be on any Texas public school’s list of school supplies for the upcoming year. The Legislature has banned them in classrooms. The TPPF take: This move will have positive effects for Texas education—and Texas kids. “While technology plays an essential role in education, personal devices often serve...
Let’s See the Results What to know: A Texas appeals court has ruled the Texas Education Association can release the state’s A-F ratings for schools throughout the state. Some school districts had sued to keep those ratings hidden from the public. The TPPF take: This is an important victory for parents. “Giving every school a...
Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying What to know: Among the items on Governor Abbott’s special session call is a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying, “including the use of tax dollars to hire lobbyists and payment of tax dollars to associations that lobby the Legislature.” The TPPF take: Banning taxpayer-funded lobbying is one of the most important items on...
More Tax Cuts What to know: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has set the agenda for the First Called Special Session of the 89th Texas Legislature and one prominent item on the call is “further property tax cuts,” which would come in addition to the $10 billion approved during the Regular Session. The TPPF take: A...
A Change in the Wind What to know: A Maryland congressman is taking on the offshore wind industry. His state relies on tourism and fisheries, he notes. The TPPF take: Even before President Donald Trump took office, the offshore wind industry was in trouble. “Costs keep going up, and embarrassing public failures, such as the...