There’s a Difference
What to know: Sen. Ted Cruz says he opposes any new law governing college sports that makes student-athletes into employees of the school.
The TPPF take: Student-athletes are not employees.
“While we sympathize with the desire to provide certainty and uniformity to student-athletes and universities, and although we see the need for some revenue-sharing framework, workplace regulation simply does not provide a viable template for college sports,” says TPPF’s Tom Lindsay. “It would upend the student‑athlete framework that has long defined intercollegiate sports.”
For more on college sports, click here.
Water Woes
What to know: The state’s new water plan could cost as much as $174 billion in the next 50 years to avoid a severe water crisis.
The TPPF take: Water has always been a concern to Texans—especially rural Texans, the farmers and ranchers of the Lone Star State.
“Water access is critical to ensure a prosperous future for Texas,” says TPPF’s Larry French. “Water satisfies thirsty communities, fuels industry, powers next generation technologies, sustains reliable generation of electricity, and maintains the natural beauty of the state.”
For more on water supplies in Texas, click here.
Less Literacy
What to know: The New York Times reports that “Almost everywhere in America, students are performing worse than their peers were 10 years ago.” Literacy, in particular, has taken a huge hit.
The TPPF take: Falling literacy rates could be linked to the amount of “noise” kids must endure these days.
“This noise — the constantly changing, algorithmically saturated, technologically mediated environment — is what young people are surrendering to,” says TPPF’s Cameron Abrams. “This great flattening of America’s children is a result of a noisy culture that has led them away from the very conditions reading requires.”
For more on literacy, click here.