Clever Isn’t Always Smart What to know: Four days before Christmas, the city of Austin’s Transportation Department tweeted the reworded song, “I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus,” with lyrics explaining that because she was texting, “She didn’t see him cross the street, now his body’s a red streak.” The TPPF take: Maybe it’s a bad idea to...
Harris County’s Election Failures Revealed What to know: The Texas Secretary of State’s office conducted a full forensic audit of the 2020 General Election in Collin, Dallas, Harris, and Tarrant counties and found “very serious issues” in Harris County’s election systems. These irregularities raise serious concerns about the need for additional election integrity measures. The TPPF take: Texans must...
A Positive Effect What to know: Other states, including West Virginia, are taking advantage of a tool TPPF designed that helps prospective college students know if the degree they’re considering is worth the price tag. The TPPF take: We shouldn’t ask whether college is worth it; we should instead ask which college programs are worth the money. “Some programs...
Recipe for Disaster What to know: The Biden administration now has its sights on natural gas, planning to “phase out” the fuel source that provides clean, affordable energy to the U.S. The TPPF take: Biden’s policies will lead to widespread energy poverty. “Under Biden’s attempts to ‘phase out’ natural gas, petroleum, and coal, the prices we pay...
Coverage Isn’t Care What to know: States that have expanded Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act are shifting resources away from low-income children and to able-bodied adults. The TPPF take: Medicaid expansion increases demand (by adding patients) while not increasing the supply of health care providers who accept Medicaid. “Government-run health care systems make a promise to patients: affordable,...
Fighting Back What to know: More states are standing up to woke investment firms that are adhering to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles—to the detriment of their investors and pension holders. The TPPF take: Texas is leading the way on rooting out ESG from state investments. “The ESG movement typically targets industries deemed politically incorrect, including fossil fuel...
Piling on the Debt What to know: Local government debt in Texas now tops $417 billion, or more than $14,000 per Texas citizen, The Texan reports. The TPPF Take: It’s up to voters to decide on bond propositions. But voters should understand that taking on more debt means paying higher taxes. “Generally speaking, general obligation bonds approved by...
Save the Whales What to know: The Biden administration’s green energy agenda relies on offshore wind to provide electricity to much of the U.S.—but that will come at the expense of the endangered North Atlantic right whale. The TPPF take: TPPF attorneys have filed a lawsuit over offshore wind plans that endanger marine wildlife, including the North...
Human Trafficking What to know: President Biden’s open border policies have led to a spike in human trafficking. The TPPF take: The Biden administration has allowed criminal cartels to take control of the U.S. border. “The migrant-smuggling economy along the southern border now tops $20 billion, and that doesn’t even account for how much cartels profit from...
Save Our Children What to know: Texas state Rep. Jared Patterson has filed a bill that would prevent the exploitation of minors by social media companies by prohibiting children under 18 from using social media. The TPPF take: There are countless tragic stories about the destructive harms of social media. “Texas should be the national leader on...
Energy Prices What to know: An East Texas family will keep the holiday lights on—their three-acre display draws thousands every year. But high electricity prices are making it tougher than in previous years. The TPPF take: President Biden once lamented he doesn’t “have a magic wand” to make energy prices lower. “But there is a magic wand...
A Dark Future? What to know: Should you refuse to have children, in order to save the planet? The Washington Post says the answer is “complicated.” The TPPF take: The climate anxiety our young people suffer from is not warranted by the facts. “Instead of using fear over the most extreme weather scenarios, our media, leaders, parents,...