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 way next session. This is the right problem to bring massive change to,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “To ease the affordability crisis, it’s vital that we get runaway local government taxes and spending under control. This is key.”
“Trust in government is vital for a strong and healthy republic. For this reason, elected officials should seize every opportunity to proactively release public information and data. It rightfully belongs to the public anyhow,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “Dallas’ push for travel record transparency is the right call and, hopefully, other large cities will follow suit.”
The Root of the Problem
What to know: An Austin homeowner is suing the city over an $8,000 fine it imposed on him after he trimmed trees on his own property.
The TPPF take: That homeowner is being represented by attorneys with TPPF’s Center for the American Future.
“People should be able to maintain their own land without fear of life-altering penalties,” says TPPF’s Eric Oldfather. “It doesn’t feel like I’m going out on a limb by saying that.”
Soaring Socialism
What to know: According to the New York Times, moderate Democrats are about to wage war on the socialist wing of their party.
The TPPF take: Socialism isn’t just on the ascent in New York City; it’s also making gains in Texas.
“Because we are blessed to live ‘deep in the heart,’ it is easy to dismiss New York’s socialist sweep as something that could never happen here, unless you live in San Antonio, like I do, where three DSA members have been elected and currently serve on City Council,” says TPPF’s Sherry Sylvester. “So far, they have proposed a Trans History Week and a program called LOVIN to ensure that men who say they are women are not restricted from public women’s restrooms.”