Keep Your Heads Above Water

What to Know: Gov. Greg Abbott urged Texans on Monday to prepare for heavy rain that could cause flash flooding across parts of the state over the next several days.
 
The TPPF Take: The Texas State Guard (Texas’ only fully state-controlled force) remains sidelined, under-resourced, and operationally irrelevant in emergency response scenarios. That must change.
“What Texas needs is a dual-component military structure where the National Guard and State Guard operate at peak readiness—without competing or cannibalizing resources,” says TPPF’s Ammon Blair. “The Texas State Guard would finally emerge as the state’s dedicated frontline defense force, capable of protecting Texans against natural disasters, border threats, cyberattacks, and other 21st-century challenges with speed, professionalism, and autonomy.”
How Much Are You Making?!

 

What to know: More than 50% of funds allocated to combatting Austin’s homelessness went to staff salaries.

The TPPF take: As Austin demonstrates, devoting more money to poor policy does not solve the problem of homelessness.

“The data suggest the problem may be worsening, despite the ample resources devoted to it,” says TPPF’s John Bonura. “Thus, the public is left with a situation in which, as homeless populations increase, spending rises to accommodate them. However, the services provided fail to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness or to engender lasting change.”

For more on Homelessness, click here.

Head South, Young Man

What to know: Blue states and cities are losing billions of dollars in revenue as taxpayers flee to other states, including Texas.

The TPPF take: People want to keep their money. 

“Americans are heading where housing is more attainable, jobs are plentiful, taxes are lower, and governments prioritize results over DEI virtue signaling,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “Red state governance wins because it delivers consistent standard of living improvement that matters for the next generation—not the static ‘protections’ that trade dynamism for a false comfort.”

For more on Migration, click here.