Classical Goodness
What to know: Classical education is making a real comeback, National Review reports.
The TPPF take: Classical education has an appeal to parents who want something more from education.
“Classical charter schools offer a distinct education rooted in the liberal arts and the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty,” says TPPF’s Erin Valdez. “That’s why it’s so popular. In Texas, Asian American and Hispanic students represent the fastest growing groups of classical charter students.”
For more on classical education, click here.
Storm Warning
What to know: The city of Houston will soon face a fiscal crisis, as the one-time federal funds the city has been using for ongoing expenses run out, and as the city’s other mismanagement becomes apparent. The budget deficit could top $300 million.
The TPPF take: The Houston City Council regularly spends more than the city brings in.
“This crisis has arisen because Texas doesn’t demand fiscal discipline from its cities in the way that it should,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “When the Texas Legislature writes its biennial budget every session, it must observe five different types of constitutional and statutory spending limits that govern how fast spending can grow. But municipal governments, like the city of Houston, don’t have to follow any of those same common-sense policies.”
For more on local spending, click here.
Fit for a King
What to know: Britain’s boom on offshore wind investment is resulting in a pay raise for King Charles of about 45%, due to his financial portfolio.
The TPPF take: The renewable energy “boom” is proving to be a bust for most of us.
“The expansion of offshore wind farms pours funds into the construction of an energy source that is unable to compete against the efficiency and energy density of fossil fuels,” says TPPF’s Aliyah Formont. “Government favors for wind and solar have real-world costs—to both taxpayers and ratepayers.”
For more on offshore wind, click here.