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...
The Root of the Problem What to know: The city of Oakland, California wants to fine landowners nearly $1 million for cutting trees — on their own property. The TPPF take: The landowners are being represented by TPPF attorneys. “To put this absurdity into perspective, consider California’s criminal justice system. Under the state’s penal code,...
That’s the Wrong Direction What to know: State lawmakers are holding hearings on proposed 765-kV transmission lines, which are facing significant pushback from landowners and ratepayers throughout the state. The TPPF take: You can’t solve a reliable generation problem with more transmission lines. “Texas needs more transmission to accommodate demand growth, both in the cities...
Hiding the Grades What to know: The University of Michigan is hiding the grades of incoming freshmen — for fear that bad grades might pose a threat to the student’s mental well-being. The TPPF take: The job of a teacher is to lift students up, not lower the bar. “A student does not possess all...
Making the Case What to know: Former Vice President Kamala Harris inadvertently made the case for the SAVE America Act, which would help secure U.S. elections. She warned that the bill would mean “you’re going to have to have proof of who you are.” The TPPF take: Yes, exactly. “The argument is not that eligible...
Fair Pay, Not Financial Enrichment What to know: There is brewing discontent over sky-high superintendent salaries and gold-plated benefit packages that oftentimes include housing subsidies, car allowances, lump-sum payments, and other perks. Commenting on this controversy, one observer recently remarked: “A basic principle of public-sector compensation is that public officials should be paid fairly for...
AI Boyfriends What to know: Millions in China have been forced to break up with their AI boyfriends and girlfriends, as the Chinese government bans AI companion apps. The TPPF take: China has this much right, at least — AI boyfriends aren’t real boyfriends. “Over the past decade, much of the public square has migrated online,” says TPPF’s Hannah Bruck....
ETJ Win What to know: A federal court recently granted a preliminary injunction “stop[ping] the City of Austin from regaining extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) over a swath of land west of the city, representing a temporary win for the group of landowners who sued.” The court’s decision preserves the Texas Legislature’s intent of creating a pathway out of city...
Baby Boom What to know: President Donald Trump has issued new executive orders to deter “birth tourism,” in which foreigners arrange to give birth in the U.S., thereby ensuring the baby has American citizenship. The TPPF take: Texas is already taking aim at birth tourism. “Time and time again, Texas has had to act where...
An Affordability Session What to know: Speaking to a group in West Texas, the Texas Speaker of the House told the crowd: “It’s going to be a property tax, affordability session.” The TPPF take: Affordability is the number one issue in America — and Texas. “State leadership appears poised to address affordability in a major...