O RLY, Canada?
What to Know: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is complaining President Trump’s tariffs and “51st state” taunts make Canada’s century-old economic marriage to the United States too risky. His proposed alternative is a “unique alliance” with the European Union while courting Chinese capital at home.
The TPPF Take: Geography, capital flows, language, and supply chains dictate otherwise.
“The United States remains Canada’s gravitational center,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “Roughly 75 percent of Canadian goods exports have historically gone south; even after tariffs, America still dominates. Manufacturing is only 10 percent of Canada’s gross domestic product, but it is the high-wage, integrated part of the economy that Europe cannot absorb.”
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Bridging the Gaps
What to know: ICE has surpassed 2,500 agreements with local law enforcement agencies for its 287(g) immigration enforcement program, up from 1,000 agreements just a year ago.
The TPPF take: The Texas Legislature should take the next logical step of requiring all Texas law enforcement agencies to participate in the 287(g) program.
“Voluntary, piecemeal 287(g) participation among local jurisdictions leads to soft spots that can be exploited by sophisticated cartel networks,” says TPPF’s Eric Oldfather. “By mandating full participation across every sheriff’s office, police department, and constable, Texas can build an airtight enforcement system that will make our communities safer.”
For more on 287(g), click here.
Less Is More
What to Know: Houston ISD is directing schools to reduce staff and other spending amid higher than expected enrollment losses.
The TPPF take: It’s unreasonable for any school district to serve fewer students and expect to grow its budget.
“At its present level, public school enrollment in Texas is effectively the same as it was in 2020. This fact raises some interesting questions about the direction of school district spending, taxes, and debt—and whether those trends are justifiable,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “It’s time for every other shrinking school district to face reality and rightsize their budgets and operations accordingly. Because the more resistant they are today, the harder it will be tomorrow.”