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...
Tax Cut Elections What to know: Gov. Greg Abbott is championing a new proposal to “[e]mpower voters to roll back property tax rates through referendums.” With this tool, Texans could petition for an election to cut taxes. The TPPF take: The tax cut election concept promises to give Texans a powerful new tool to right-size local government and...
Spending is the Problem What to know: Gov. Greg Abbott is calling on the next Texas Legislature to rein in local government over-spending, which is the driving force behind skyrocketing tax bills. As part of this call, the governor is pushing to “[l]imit local spending to a formula based on population plus inflation or 3.5%, whichever is...
Evidence! What to know: The International Olympic Committee has uncovered “evidence” that men have biological advantages over women in sports. The TPPF take: This could and should lead to the banning of men from all female sports. “This move undoubtedly pushed forward after a man beat a woman’s face in during a boxing match in the last summer...
School District Squanderers What to know: Houston ISD was recently discovered to have spent $1.3 million on consulting services, mostly related to passing bonds. A large part of the expense came as “HISD used Outreach Strategies to share information about a $4.4 billion school bond, which ultimately failed in November 2024.” The TPPF take: Instead of spending tax...
Color Me Shocked What to know: Waste, fraud, and abuse are rampant throughout the city of Austin. For example, the city committed taxpayer resources to creating an adult coloring book featuring a drag queen who crows: “Quitting tobacco has allowed me to be the best performer that I can.” The TPPF take: If Austin has enough money to create comics...