You Don’t Say

What to know: Texans are overwhelmingly opposed to lobbying funded with tax dollars. According to a new Texas Tribune poll, “Overall, 69% of Texas voters would support such a ban, including 63% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans.”

The TPPF take: Local government officials and employees may still participate in the legislative process; they simply shouldn’t use tax dollars to hire lobbyists.

“Taxpayers should not foot the bill for lobbyists who advocate against their interests. It’s wrong and unethical,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “Tax dollars should pay for the core functions of government, not fund high-priced lobbyists whose job it is to argue for higher taxes, more spending, and bigger bureaucracies. It’s time for Texas lawmakers to end this misuse of public money.”

For more on lobbying with tax dollars, click here.

A Win For Common Sense

What to know: State-sponsored racism—also known as critical race theory—was defeated in a Texas school district last weekend.

The TPPF take: Dr. Martin Luther King wouldn’t recognize the modern “antiracism” movement, which is simply applied critical race theory.

“The just goals he fought for, equal opportunity for all and a color-blind society, have been set aside by modern critical race theorists, in favor of divisive identity politics and collective grievance,” says TPPF’s Richard Johnson. “The new goal is a return to segregation, though MLK knew that separate can never be equal.”

For more on MLK and critical race theory, click here.

Where Overreach Gets Us

What to know: Even the Washington Post acknowledges that the CDC’s ban on evictions is leading to a crisis—hurting both landlords and tenants alike.

The TPPF take: The CDC rule is a clear example of the damage that can be done by government overreach.

“Under the order, private property owners are required to allow non-paying renters to live rent-free until the federal government says otherwise, costing landlords billions of dollars in unpaid rent — all while landowners remain responsible for property taxes, mortgages, and the costs of their property,” says TPPF’s Robert Henneke. “But a federal ruling that TPPF won in the Eastern District of Texas makes it clear that even during a pandemic, the Constitution persists.”

For read our friend Diane’s story about how the eviction moratorium forced her to sell her rental properties, click here.