Infiltration
What to know: The Chinese Communist Party is spending millions installing “Confucius Institutes” in American public schools, in an effort to spread its propaganda.
The TPPF take: The Confucius Institutes bring the Chinese government into the American academy in powerful ways.
“What is the purpose of Confucius Institutes?” asks TPPF’s Tom Lindsay, “Well, to quote a member of the Chinese Community Party, the Institutes are an important part of China’s overseas propaganda set-up.’”
For more on CCP and Confucius Institutes, click here.
Border Crisis
What to know: West Virginia has become the latest state to send National Guard troops to Texas to assist with Operation Lone Star.
The TPPF take: The Biden administration is increasingly alone in denying there’s a crisis at the border.
“The southern border became increasingly secure under the Trump administration,” says TPPF’s Selene Rodriguez. “Because of policies like Remain in Mexico, Asylum Cooperation Agreements, 287G programs, and expanded border wall capabilities, border crime was low and border residents could breathe a little easier. But President Joe Biden came in and wasted no time creating an open, accessible, and crime-ridden southern border.”
For more on the border, click here.
Austin Affordability
What to know: Is the city of Austin finally admitting what’s behind its housing affordability crisis? Not quite, but it may have accidentally stumbled on a good policy prescription.
The TPPF take: The city’s contemplation of a new, smaller minimum lot size requirement would increase supply, ease the cost-of-living.
“In 2020, Austin gained an average of 180 new residents a day. Yet, the market hasn’t been able to keep up with demand because of big government and anti-growth policies pushed by NIMBYs,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “These two factors have created an affordability nightmare. But major changes, like reducing minimum lot size requirements, may finally be on the horizon, if only because the status quo is so deeply broken.”
For more on Austin affordability, click here.