The Highest Court
What to know: The fishing industry’s case against offshore wind in New England—the Vineyard Wind project—could soon be heading to the U.S. Supreme Court. TPPF attorneys are representing the fishing industry.
The TPPF take: Even before President Donald Trump took office, the offshore wind industry was in trouble.
“Costs keep going up, and embarrassing public failures, such as the turbine blade failure at the Vineyard Wind site off Massachusetts, aren’t helping,” says TPPF’s Robert Henneke. “There are good reasons — along with the cost savings — for ending the expensive and disappointing offshore wind debacle.”
For more on offshore wind, click here.
Doctor Shortage
What to know: Texas doesn’t have enough doctors: “Texas ranks 41st out of 50 states in the number of active physicians per 100,000 people.”
The TPPF take: Texas has the opportunity to help address the physician shortage.
“Rather than wait on Congress to provide more general medical education (GME) appropriations, at least eight states, including Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, and Idaho, have decided to tackle the residency bottleneck through reforming licensing pathways,” says TPPF’s Nicholas Armstrong. “States are starting to allow talented foreign-licensed doctors to prove their merit, and if eligible be allowed to omit the U.S. based residency requirement—and Texas should be up next.”
For more on the doctor shortage, click here.
Foreign Threats
What to know: Texas state Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, has filed a bill to create a Texas “Engel List,” which could target corrupt foreign actors.
The TPPF take: Texas needs its own Engel List.
“While the U.S. State Department maintains its own Engel List targeting corrupt officials from three countries in Central America, this federal approach lacks the specificity and focus that Texas needs,” says TPPF’s Selene Rodriguez. “Our state’s unique position—sharing a 1,254-mile border with Mexico and serving as a hub for international trade and investment—makes us particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of foreign corruption.”
For more on the Texas Engel List, click here.