Stuck in the Past
What to know: A transportation director for the North Central Texas Council of Governments wants an expensive and outdated fixed rail system to connect Fort Worth and Arlington, saying: “I can’t imagine living in this region with 12.5 million people without high-speed rail.”
The TPPF take: Fixed rail is outdated and tends to service only a relative few.
“Fixed rail is an idea stuck in the past. We need more modern solutions to get commuters moving again,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “Central planners love this 18th-century technology; but it costs too much, does too little, and doesn’t really solve the problem.”
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More Power
What to know: The Texas electric grid could see record demand this summer, ERCOT warns.
The TPPF take: Texas isn’t keeping up with its energy demands.
“Texas has made notable improvements to its electric grid since Winter Storm Uri in 2021, particularly through weatherization requirements that have strengthened the performance of gas and coal plants during severe weather,” says TPPF’ Michael Reed. “Yet the impact of these gains is being offset by rapid growth in electricity demand and by a generation mix that is becoming more reliant on intermittent wind and solar resources. The result is a widening deficit as new reliable capacity fails to keep pace with rising load.”
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Mexico
What to know: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is “pushing back” against the U.S. and protecting its criminal class.
The TPPF take: Sheinbaum’s government is now on a collision course with U.S. policy—and Mexican democratic civics.
“The resolution of the conflict is difficult to discern in its particulars, but at least one of the outcomes is already clear,” says TPPF’s Joshua Treviño. “Mexico’s regime is dragging it toward the abyss — and the damage done will take a generation to repair.”
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