An Illegal Tax
What to know: On Monday, the Texas Public Policy Foundation filed a lawsuit against the city of Austin, challenging the legality of its Transportation User Fee (TUF). Per the lawsuit, “the TUF is not connected to a regulatory purpose and imposed on the public at large,” which therefore qualifies it as an illegal tax.
The TPPF take: Some cities, like Austin, are attempting to bypass Texas’ property tax revenue limit by calling certain new taxes “fees.”
“Under the Texas Constitution, a tax must be equal and uniform, and the amount must be tied to property values. Under the Texas Tax Code, a new tax cannot be imposed without voter approval. This so-called ‘fee’ violates all of those requirements,” says TPPF’s Heidi Walusimbi.
For more on the Transportation User Fee, click here.
Higher Grades, Lower Pay?
What to know: A new National Bureau of Economic Research study finds that grade inflation in high school means lower paychecks.
The TPPF take: Grade inflation is a disservice to students.
“Average high school GPAs have risen nearly half a letter grade over the past four decades, even as standardized test scores decline,” says TPPF’s Tom Lindsay. “The divergence screams inflation: teachers awarding higher grades for the same or lesser performance. When teachers inflate grades across the board—giving higher marks than students’ actual performance warrants—the effects ripple far beyond the classroom.”
For more on grade inflation, click here.
A Fallen Icon
What to know: Cities throughout the nation are removing statues, murals and street signs that commemorate the late César Chávez, who has been accused of sexual misconduct.
The TPPF take: The Left hid César Chávez’s rapes and turned him into a saint.
“The behavior is not distinct from other far-Left figures. From Josef Stalin to Mao to Kim Jong-il, communist and socialist leaders often share a troubling connection to sexual predation,” says TPPF’s Ariana Guajardo. “We should not be surprised that evil ideology attracts evil people.”
For more on César Chávez, click here.