Taking Away Options
What to know: The Biden administration plans to ban the kind of short-term health insurance policies that millions of Americans have chosen.
The TPPF take: American families will go uninsured because of this move.
“In 2018, Trump signed an executive order loosening the rules for short-term health plans. This allowed insurers to offer more flexible and more affordable plans,” says TPPF’s Robert Henneke. “By restricting these again to conform to the Affordable Care Act, the new administration is taking away choices and agency from the 1 million Americans who purchase these plans today.”
For more on the Biden administration’s rollback of Trump’s health care reforms, click here.
Texas Loves Plumbers
What to know: State Rep. Matt Schaefer has filed a bill that will cut some of the red tape faced by the plumbing industry. It begins with getting plumbing back onto the CTE curriculum.
The TPPF take: Skilled trades like plumbing offer a bright future to young Texans. We can work together to ensure every student has opportunities.
“Bringing local employers into the mix by supporting paid apprenticeships can give students at risk of dropping out a real incentive to stay in school and graduate,” says TPPF’s Erin Davis Valdez. “Traditional vocational programs that are oriented towards providing industry-based certifications during high school can provide true value to these students, even if they do not choose to pursue post-secondary education immediately after graduation.”
For more on CTE, click here.
We Have Questions
What to know: San Marcos continues to promote itself as the “Mermaid Capital of Texas.” Mermaids, as you are probably aware, are fictitious. EDITOR’S NOTE: We take no such position on chupacabras or jackalopes.
The TPPF take: This isn’t a proper use of public funds.
“The city of San Marcos has spent taxpayer money and staff time on a variety of mermaid-related things, including marketing, advertising, public art and parades,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “And it was during difficult economic times and widespread joblessness.”
For more on San Marcos, click here.