2010 Policy Orientation Panel Summaries
Taxing Texas: Is There a Better Way?
(Presenters: Rep. Rene Oliveira, Rep. Ken Paxton, Donna Arduin. Moderator: The Honorable Talmadge Heflin.)
So long as Texans live under the current property tax system, no one can ever truly own their own home or business -- they can only rent it from the government. But is there a better way? Join us as our panel discusses the merits of moving away from a property tax system altogether and replacing it with a consumption-based alternative.
Western Civilization: Dead or Alive in Academia?
(Presenters: Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, Dr. Steve Balch, Dr. Richard Brake, Dr. Lorraine Pangle. Moderator: Elizabeth Young.)
Over the last several decades there has been an erosion of personal ethics and integrity in our society. This panel will discuss whether universities in Texas should place a renewed focus on programs that teach students American Traditions and Ethics to begin to address the problem through a reinvigoration of the core principles and values of western civilization and those underlying the development of our great democracy.
The Road Ahead for Texas Transportation Funding
(Presenters: Sen. Robert Nichols, Rep. Joe Pickett, The Honorable Talmadge Heflin. Moderator: Justin Keener.)
Will relying on the gas tax free Texans from traffic congestion? During a time when voter opposition to the growth of government is increasing, congestion also increases, and there remain calls to raise taxes to build more roads and rail. This panel will look at the growth of government spending, the lack or prioritizing transportation, and options available to address the problem.
Corrections Solutions for a Tight Budget
(Presenters: Sen. John Whitmire, Rep. Jim McReynolds, Dr. Tony Fabelo, Adam Gelb. Moderator: Marc Levin.)
While reforms over the last few years have reduced the number of adults and juveniles incarcerated in Texas, the state still has the nation's second highest adult incarceration rate and more than 6,000 youths are in state or local lockups on any given day. As state lawmakers brace for significant budget pressures in the new biennium, this panel will address how Texas can build on the recent reforms in the adult and juvenile systems to achieve the goals of controlling costs and reducing recidivism.o:p>
The Overcriminalization of Business: More Laws, Less Freedom?
(Presenters: Rep. Bill Callegari, The Honorable Richard Thornburgh, Shannon Edmonds, Timothy Lynch. Moderator: Marc Levin.)
There are more than 4,000 federal criminal laws and some 2,000 Texas criminal laws, many of which apply to ordinary business activities. For example, a Texan can be jailed for up to a year for violating any occupational rule or for using "a pesticide in a manner that injures vegetation, crops, wildlife, or pollinating insects." Panelists will address what can be done to rein in the growing body of criminal law, particularly as it applies to business activities.
Going Out of Business? The Future of the Texas Public Utilities Commission
(Presenters: Sen. Kirk Watson, Rep. Sylvester Turner, The Honorable Barry Smitherman, Dr. Jerry Ellig. Moderator: Bill Peacock.)
After years of deregulating Texas' utilities, does Texas still need a PUC? This panel will examine the future of the Public Utility Commission as it undergoes review by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, and discuss its changing regulatory role in light of the increasingly deregulated electricity and telecommunications markets.
Regulatory Takings: A Bigger Problem than Kelo?
(Presenters: Rep. Bryan Hughes, Matthew Festa, Kendall Miller. Moderator: Bill Peacock.)
The Kelo case outraged the country, but perhaps doing more harm to the economy is the heavy burden foisted on businesses and consumers through excessive regulation. With regulatory takings owners don't lose their property, they just lose the use of it. Businesses are zoned or regulated out of existence, owners can’t use their property for the purposes they bought it for, workers lose jobs, and the cost of living goes up for everyone.
Ensuring Quality: Balancing Charter School Growth with Accountability
(Presenters: Sen. Florence Shapiro, David Dunn, Richard Kouri, Dr. Soner Tarim. Moderator: Brooke Terry.)
While there are many Texas charter schools producing great results with high percentages of graduates attending college and thousands of students on waiting lists, there are still some policy barriers to expansion. Where do we go from here? What policies would help high-performing charter schools expand and flourish?
Don't Mess with Texas: Economic Freedom and the 82nd Texas Legislature
(Presenters: Rep. Mark Strama, Don Baylor, Steve Moore, Jeff Sandefer. Moderator: Bill Peacock.)
We will learn from entrepreneurs about the challenges they face in meeting market demands, the impact their businesses has on the community, and how government can help -- or hinder -- their efforts to create jobs, meet customers’ needs and grow the economy.
ObamaCare: What Now?
(Presenters: Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, Michael Cannon, Anne Dunkelberg, Dr. John C. Goodman. Moderator: The Honorable Arlene Wohlgemuth.)
President Obama's version of health care reform has almost made its way through the U.S. Congress, and though not final, it is very possible that many of his reform ideas will ultimately become law. This panel will discuss the remaining issues Congress must still work out before health care legislation is passed, the reform's potential fiscal impact, and the changes patients can expect to see in the years to come.
Texas Water Rights: Property Interests or State Permits?
(Presenters: Comptroller Susan Combs, Rep. Bill Callegari, The Honorable Kathleen Hartnett White. Moderator: Katharine Armstrong.)
For over a century, Texas law has upheld the property interest in Texas water rights, both in the landowner's groundwater rights and surface water rights to use state water. Do recent legislation and agency rules undermine these fundamental property interests in water? Long-time state decision makers will consider this pivotal issue in Texas water policy.
Budget Climate: Fair or Stormy?
(Presenters: Sen. Royce West, Sen. Tommy Williams, Rep. Craig Eiland, Rep. Jim Pitts. Moderator: The Honorable Talmadge Heflin.)
With the state already four months into 2010-11 budget, many experts are beginning to turn their attention to the next budget cycle. Join us as our panel discusses how well they think the state's finances are holding up and the fiscal opportunities and challenges that may face those in the 82nd Legislature.