On the Radio
What to know: Some local officials are lining up to oppose bills that would prevent them from using taxpayer funds to lobby the Legislature.

The TPPF take: Taxpayer-funded lobbying is the topic of a new radio ad that TPPF is airing throughout the state.
“This year, local governments will spend tens of millions of your tax dollars to hire lobbyists whose only job is to push for higher taxes and less government accountability,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “When these contract lobbyists flood the state Capitol, they drown out the voices of everyday Texans.”
For more on the radio ads, click here.

Vote Yes if You’re Mean
What to know: The city of Austin has been forced to put its homelessness policies on the ballot, but now some Austinites who signed the petition are suing, saying the city’s ballot language is distorted in an attempt to influence the outcome.

The TPPF take: If Austin officials truly wish to help the homeless, they should rethink their approach to the issue.
“Austin’s one-size-fits-all approach to homelessness has clearly failed,” explains TPPF Senior Fellow Michele Steeb. “What’s needed is a ‘People First’ approach that supports each person in addressing the root causes of their homelessness, including trauma, mental illness and addiction.”
For more on homelessness, click here.

Help Wanted
What to know: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is suspending some licensing rules to make more plumbers available to help Texans after last week’s deep freeze (and the resulting broken pipes).

The TPPF take: As with the rules suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, we should ask the obvious question—if these regulations aren’t needed during an emergency, are they truly needed during normal times?
“Reviewing regulations, including occupational licensing, and eliminating those that aren’t necessary is part of our Responsible Recovery Agenda,” says TPPF’s Vance Ginn. “While some regulations make sense, the Texas Legislature should take a look at each of the more than 263,000 restrictive regulations to ensure that each protects Texans and serves its intended purpose.”
For more on the Responsible Recovery Agenda, click here.