Ban Ranked-Choice Voting What to know: The Texas Legislature is close to banning ranked-choice voting, a costly and confusing election scheme that many other Red States have also rejected. In fact, 13 states have now banned ranked-choice voting while “there are also legislative efforts to ban RCV in at least 11 states this year.” The TPPF...
A Misuse of Tax Dollars What to know: Local governments and school districts in Texas often hire high-dollar lobbyists to argue for more governmental power and higher taxes. And they’re using taxpayer funds to get it done. The TPPF take: Taxpayer-funded lobbying must end. “The practice is being utilized by local governments to lobby state government for...
Fully Operational What to know: A bill before the Texas Legislature would give last session’s “Death Star” bill, which limits how much blue cities can impose regulations on their citizens, more teeth. The TPPF take: Senate Bill 2858 would protect the rights of Texans, no matter where they live. “SB 2858 reinforces a simple but powerful principle:...
The Success Sequence What to know: Tennessee schools will soon start teaching something Americans used to know—“Young adults who graduate from high school, work full-time and avoid having children outside marriage are more likely to thrive… than those who don’t.” The TPPF take: At TPPF, we have launched the Texas Family Success Agenda, and the success sequence...
Gotta Have a Home What to know: A new survey shows that nine out of 10 Texans say that the cost of housing near them has made owning a home unattainable. The TPPF take: The main culprit here is the lack of supply—homes on the market. “Basic economics tells us that low supply means prices rise—so you’d...
No Deal What to know: California’s crunchy version of the Green New Deal is driving up costs in the Golden State, writes Joel Kotkin. The TPPF take: The predictable outcome of California’s green energy policies has arrived and it’s a disaster. “Back when I served in the California State Assembly from 2004 to 2010, I warned that...
We’ll Keep Fighting What to know: The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear two cases involving the Vineyard Wind offshore energy project in New England. That leaves lower court rulings in place. The TPPF take: TPPF attorneys represent the plaintiffs in one of those cases. “While we are disappointed for our clients, a key piece of...
No Means No What to know: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking legal action against Austin ISD for continuing to teach critical race theory in defiance of state law. The TPPF take: Political agendas have no place in the classroom. “Public schools are supposed to be places where students are taught to read, write, and do math. But...
China Rising What to know: A report from the U.S. Naval Institute warns about China’s efforts to modernize its navy. The TPPF take: China’s rising naval dominance threatens U.S. interests. “China’s decision to become a maritime superpower presents the greatest threat to the U.S. since the British burned down the White House in 1814,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore....
Taking the Wheel What to know: Driverless semi-trucks are carrying cargo between Dallas and Houston. According to CNN, “During the four years of practice hauls, the self-driving technology was able to complete over 1,200 miles without a human in the truck.” The TPPF take: Just as with all other technology, self-driving vehicles are a tool that can...
May Day is for Freedom What to know: While communist countries still celebrate May 1 as May Day, a “workers’ holiday,” others are using the day the commemorate the victims of communism. The TPPF take: TPPF’s Austin Prochko’s family escaped from communist Czechoslovakia. “In Soviet-controlled countries, one of the biggest celebrations of the year was May Day, which...
Special Health Care Edition! What to know: About half of all U.S. hospitals are non-profit, which means they get tax-exempt status in exchange for providing some level of charity care in their areas. The TPPF take: Texas lawmakers should make more clear what that level of charity care should be. “Charity care, historically, is supposed to be...