Out of This World
What to know: The Texas Education Agency’s newly updated superintendent salary database reveals some eye-popping detail about public education pay. For instance, here’s the total pay for the top 3 highest grossing superintendents: Harlandale ISD, $655,737; Birdville ISD, $551,576; Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, $520,231.
The TPPF take: No one should get rich from public service.
“Many taxpayers are buckling under the weight of sky-high property taxes and a cost-of-living crisis. And yet, some local officials are getting paid obscene amounts for their public service,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “These supersized salaries ought to shock the conscience of everyone who pays taxes.”
For more on superintendent salaries, click here.
Abuse of the System
What to know: The three heroic Austin cops who stopped a deadly shooting rampage are expected to be charged by Travis County’s leftist District Attorney Jose Garza.
The TPPF take: This case shows the need for grand jury reform in Texas.
“In Texas, prosecutors are not currently statutorily required to present exculpatory evidence—crucial evidence that could clear a defendant’s name—to a grand jury,” says TPPF’s Ross Jackson. “This deeply violates long-held American principles of liberty and due process and deprives crime victims of owed justice. Unlike traditional jury trials, grand juries are incredibly secretive, and there are no transcripts taken.”
For more on grand jury reform, click here.
Then Whose Peace Will It Be?
What to know: European leaders refuse to assist the U.S. in the Iran conflict because “it’s not our war.”
The TPPF take: Europe has an Iranian war on its hands by reason of those interests, whether Europe cares to see it or not.
“With European energy markets and European economies already struggling with the loss of Russian oil and gas, the additional Iranian-driven market constriction is a new crisis that they can ill afford,” says TPPF’s Joshua Treviño. “Outside the security of France’s robust nuclear-power grid, Europe will sink into reduced productivity and stagflation as the combination of high energy costs and increased food costs – about one-third of all global fertilizer shipments also pass through the Straits of Hormuz – constrict the liquidity of both households and governments.”
For more on Iran, click here.