Not Woke, Not Broke
What to know: Oklahoma is the latest state to ban doing state business with investment companies that use environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles to discriminate against politically incorrect industries.
The TPPF take: As Oklahoma has realized. ESG was planted in business to spread left-wing policies and ideologies outside of the democratic process.
“Our public servants — teachers, peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, and others — will depend on their pensions one day for survival,” says TPPF’s Jason Isaac. “They deserve to know that their money is being managed well, with the goal being the biggest return on investment — not the loudest applause for virtue signaling.”
For more on ESG investing, click here.
Driving Us Crazy
What to know: The Texas Tribune has a new report helping us fragile Texans care for our mental health “in the age of climate change and worsening natural disasters.”
The TPPF take: This kind of breathless alarmism has created a new malady: eco-anxiety.
“Instead of using fear over the most extreme weather scenarios, our media, leaders, parents, and teachers should communicate to our young people the complete story of fossil fuels and the benefits of affordable and reliable energy,” says TPPF’s Syd Lucas. “Energy is the key to human flourishing.”
For more on eco-anxiety, click here.
Bye-Bye TASB
What to know: Almost one-dozen state lawmakers are calling on school districts statewide to end their affiliation with the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), a far-left lobby group that advocates for progressive schemes using public money. As one state lawmaker puts it: “It’s bad enough that harmful woke ideology is being pushed on Texas students over the objection of their parents, but worse that local elected officials are forcing those same parents to fund it with their tax dollars.”
The TPPF take: School taxes are meant to be used for learning, not lobbying.
“Texans expect their school taxes to pay for classroom learning, not lobbying the legislature for woke ideological causes. It’s time for every school district statewide to reconsider spending money on leftwing legislative advocacy” says TPPF’s James Quintero.
For more on lobbying with tax dollars, click here.