A Culture of Death, A Culture of Life
What to know: The left’s embrace of Hamas and its killing of civilian victims, including infants, shows that the left is enthralled by a cult of death, writes Gabriel Noah Brahm.
The TPPF take: In Texas, we have created and cultivated a culture of life.
“America is on two very different paths right now,” says TPPF’s Robert Henneke. “One pathway leads to death at the altar of progressive bona fides; the other Texas-led path leads to a culture that celebrates every human being as someone made in the image of God.”
For more on the culture of death vs. the culture of life, click here.
Still Coming for Your Cut
What to know: Texas voters approved Proposition 4 on the Nov. 7 constitutional election, meaning a tax cut is on its way.
The TPPF take: Local governments are raising taxes and cutting into the relief that Texas property owners would feel.
“Between this election cycle’s bond elections (which were predominantly pushed by ISDs) and school district tax rate elections, many taxpayers are going to see less tax relief than they might have otherwise enjoyed,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “And that’s a shame given the extreme cost-of-living increases many Texans are enduring. Moving forward, there are lessons here to be learned and acted upon in future legislative sessions.”
For more on property taxes, click here.
Teachers, Too
What to know: The newest parent empowerment bill adds teacher raises to school choice.
The TPPF take: Opponents of educational savings accounts (ESAs) have said repeatedly there will be no compromise, no matter how much money public education gets or what benefits teachers receive.
“If I were a teacher and confident in my ability to do my job, I’d be angry at the ESA opponents for leaving billions of dollars of new education funding on the table, including my pay raise and improved benefits,” says TPPF’s Brian Phillips. “And I’d be deeply insulted that the premise of their opposition is that I’m so terrible at my job parents and students would jump at the chance to leave my classroom.”
For more on ESAs, click here.