More Power
What to know: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has given CenterPoint a deadline to fix its problems, after 2.2 million Texans lost power due to Hurricane Beryl.
The TPPF take: To be clear, it was misallocation of funds, not the storm itself, that caused CenterPoint’s problems.
“Investors and politicians seeking to curry favor with the green lobby have been pouring cash into unreliable renewables,” says TPPF’s Jason Isaac. “But that money could have been spent on much more beneficial projects, like upgrading power lines to more modern designs and investing in new technologies that allow power to be rerouted without physical crews on site, which was recommended by a City of Houston task force after Hurricane Ike.”
For more on the energy grid, click here.
Defending Democracy?
What to know: Vice President Kamala Harris has kicked off her presidential run by adopting one of President Joe Biden’s mantras—that electing her would be “defending democracy.”
The TPPF take: What does “defending democracy” mean?
“True democracy involves more than just holding elections; it requires that the elected representatives can implement the will of the people without undue interference from unelected officials,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “There is a growing concern that some senior bureaucrats, insulated from public accountability, are thwarting the policies of elected officials, thereby subverting the democratic process.”
For more on truly defending our constitutional republic, click here.
It Won’t Help
What to know: The EPA has awarded the city of Austin a grant for $48 million intended to mitigate traffic congestion and pollution.
The TPPF take: Austin is one of the worst cities for traffic because of policies, not funding issues.
“Texas’ large cities have unleashed a cost-of-living crisis through over-taxation and overregulation, prompting many to flee the urban core and seek refuge in the outskirts,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “As a result, these ex-city residents have been forced to commute more frequently and over longer distances, which has helped make a bad situation worse.”
For more on traffic and spending, click here.