Going Rogue
What to know: Fresh concerns are mounting over cities and counties ignoring state law. One recent report highlights that TPPF filed Public Information Act requests “with the state’s 20 largest cities and counties [revealing] that none of them had taken any action to comply with HB 2127,” also known as the Death Star law.
The TPPF take: State laws are not suggestions for cities and counties to follow. They are requirements.
“A lawless mentality seems to have taken root in certain cities and counties, which has led them to believe they can pick-and-choose which state laws to follow. This is a very concerning development that is evident with new laws involving the Death Star, ETJ release, and guaranteed income programs. It’s critical that the Texas Legislature stop this bad behavior by approving new enforcement authority,” says TPPF’s James Quintero.
For more on the Death Star law, click here.
Charity Care
What to know: Americans borrowed more than $74 billion for their medical bills in 2024.
The TPPF take: Texas lawmakers should prioritize the widespread problem of non-profit hospitals not living up to their charitable mission.
“Texas non-profit hospitals provide charity care and other community benefits to justify being exempted from paying federal and state taxes,” says TPPF’s Nicholas Armstrong. “For-profit hospitals, that don’t get any tax-exemptions, are providing more charity care than non-profit hospitals, and non-profit hospitals in Texas are letting charity-care-eligible patients get sent to debt collectors.”
For more on charity care, click here.
School Choice
What to know: The Texas House Public Education Committee has passed a school choice bill.
The TPPF take: Every step on the road to Education Savings Accounts for Texas is a big win for parental rights and Texas students.
“The Texas Senate passed Education Savings Accounts early in the session and the Texas House Education Committee passed the bill out this week, so it’s on to the House floor for a full vote,” says TPPF’s Sherry Sylvester. “If you know anyone who is still weighing the facts, give them this checklist put together by TPPF.”
For more on school choice, click here.