Guard the Gains
What to know: During his recent State of the State address, Governor Abbott called for another round of massive tax relief but cautioned that it will only last “if local authorities cannot use loopholes to jack up your property taxes.”
The TPPF take: Tax relief is critical to achieve this session, but tax reform is equally important.
“Time-and-again, the Texas Legislature does its part to lower property taxes, only for opportunistic local governments to erode those gains entirely through rate hikes, bond elections, and certificates of obligation. The behavior is nothing short of predatory,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “State lawmakers must do more this session to guard any gains made.”
For more on local taxes, click here.
Stepping Up
What to know: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has reached a deal with the Trump administration to deputize the Texas National Guard to enable it to make immigration arrests.
The TPPF take: The left is attempting to stoke fear among even legal immigrants.
“That’s why it was refreshing to see Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar tell CNN that he had spoken with administration officials and learned there were no plans to go door to door, church to school, checking students and teachers,” says TPPF’s Sherry Sylvester. “Salazar said his goal was to bring down the fear level in San Antonio and across the country by sharing this information. Good for him, but it was hardly a secret. Trump officials had made it clear when they were beginning the deportation operation that they were going after ‘the worst first.’”
For more on immigration, click here.
Born Here
What to know: President Donald Trump wants to end birthright citizenship and put a stop to birth tourism.
The TPPF take: There’s a strong case to be made against birthright citizenship.
“At the heart of the debate is this phrase: ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States,’” explains TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “This central clause raises questions about its application for some children of non-citizens and illegal immigrants. By revisiting the original debates surrounding the amendment’s language and reviewing its implications, Trump’s call for limiting the scope of birthright citizenship appears reasonable.”
For more on birthright citizenship, click here.