Maybe They Won’t Notice
What to Know: Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is banking on his citizens’ apathy to get him through a scandal in which email leaks show collusion between political officials and the drug cartels.
The TPPF Take: It’s time to tackle government corruption in Mexico.
“The U.S.–Mexico trade relationship has a long history, though one frequently marked by tensions connected with the incidence of cartel operations, government corruption, and human smuggling and trafficking,” says TPPF’s Joshua Treviño. “The aim, after all, is to send a message to Mexican elites, not the ordinary Mexican or American citizen. Though lacking the powers of the federal government, Texas is still in a position to send that message.”
For more on Mexico and corruption, click here.
The Answers, My Friend
What to Know: The Biden administration has set aside 700,000 acres in the Gulf of Mexico off Texas and Louisiana for offshore wind turbines.
The TPPF Take: The devil is in the details; even the Chronicle acknowledges that backup power is needed because the wind isn’t consistent, generating many hidden costs.
“The savings from ‘cheap’ wind and solar generation are not showing up on ratepayer bills,” says TPPF’s Brent Bennett. “If wind and solar are as cheap and reliable as their proponents claim, why are Texans paying more for an electric grid that is becoming increasingly volatile?”
For more on unreliable wind energy, click here.
Voters: Educate Yourselves
What to Know: In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed a law requiring most local governments to create a Voter Information Document for any proposed bonds. This document is intended to tell the public basic things, like the amount of debt already owed by the governmental entity asking for more, the amount of new debt (principal plus interest) that is being sought and the tax implications of the bond’s passage.
The TPPF Take: Google the name of any local government proposing new debt plus “Voter Information Document” (in quotes) to see important tax and debt information.
“Good information sets the stage for good decision-making. Voters need to take advantage of the tools that have been provided to make informed decisions about the $21 billion in new debt being proposed this election cycle,” says TPFF’s James Quintero. “Now more than ever, it’s time to get educated.”
For more on local debt transparency, click here.