Reforming Higher Ed
What to know: Ilya Shapiro and Christopher Rufo make the case that state lawmakers can end the divisive, identity group policies and ideologically driven agenda that permeates university campuses today by shutting down the so-called “diversity, equity and inclusion” bureaucracies at taxpayer funded academic institutions.
The TPPF take: Lawmakers can reform higher education and ending “diversity statements” is a great place to start.
“At the University of Texas and most other Texas institutions, every teaching or administrative job applicant must provide what is known as a ‘diversity statement’ explaining what they have done personally to further ‘diversity’ in their professional career,” said TPPF Distinguished Senior Fellow Sherry Sylvester. “When you wonder how the environment on Texas campuses got so far off track, DEI and other left-wing ideologies on college campuses are the answer—and they continue to do it all with funding from Texas taxpayers.”
For more on DEI policies, click here.
The Bill is Due
What to know: The U.S. Treasury has begun “extraordinary” measures to avoid a default as Congress fights over raising the debt ceiling, and what spending reforms, if any, will be included.
The TPPF take: Raising the debt ceiling isn’t going to solve the runaway spending that is burdening future generations.
“Instead of band-aid approaches like raising the debt ceiling, Congress should follow the example of Texas, which leads with fiscal rules that rein spending, generate surplus, and give their money back to the people,” said Daniel Sánchez-Piñol, TPPF economist.
For more on budgets, click here.
Fewer Border Apprehensions?
What to know: Border apprehensions have dropped sharply in recent weeks, down nearly two-thirds since the middle of December. The Biden Administration is touting its new policies as the solution, but what is the real cause behind the drop?
The TPPF take: Cartel infighting — not Biden Administration competency — is behind the sudden drop in illegal entries on the southern border.
“My sources within the Department of Homeland Security believe that the primary reason that illegal cross-border traffic has slowed in El Paso is because of the cartel wars that have ramped up recently,” said Rodney Scott, TPPF senior distinguished fellow for border security. “Simply put, the cartels that control this area are currently preoccupied with fighting each other and Mexican government forces for survival and control.”
For more on the border, click here.