TexasPolicy.com Home    Newsroom   Press Releases May 09, 2008   
TPPF Newsroom
Press Releases
   2008
   2007
   2006
   2005
   2004
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
   1998
Commentaries
   2008
   2007
   2006
   2005
   2004
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
   1998
   1997
   1996
News Clips
   2008
   2007
   2006
   2005
   2004
   2003
   2002
Speaking Freely
   2008
   2007


Press Releases

Statement by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin, Director of the Center for Fiscal PolicyMay 08, 2008
On recent budget surplus estimates
  The recent estimates of a $10.7 billion to $15 billion state budget surplus vindicate the limited government policies Texas has pursued during the last five years.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Kathleen Hartnett White, Director of the Center for Natural ResourcesApril 25, 2008
On Gov. Rick Perry’s request to waive the federal ethanol mandate
  The Governor is correct to call for at least a partial waiver of the federal mandate for grain-based ethanol. Our federal government's policies to subsidize and mandate the ever-expanding supply of ethanol are causing massive distortions in our economy, multi-billion dollar losses to our livestock producers, and severe hardships for Texas families.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Foundation President Brooke RollinsMarch 12, 2008
On Gov. Perry’s decision to cut unemployment taxes
  “The decision by Gov. Perry and the Texas Workforce Commission represents government transparency at its best – collect a tax for a particular purpose, and return to the taxpayers any excess funds that are not needed for that purpose. Texas employers have paid more money into the Unemployment Insurance trust fund than necessary, and Gov. Rick Perry has rightly decided to rebate those excess funds."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Kathleen Hartnett White, Director of the Center for Natural ResourcesMarch 12, 2008
On the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new ozone standard
  “Last year, the state of Texas adopted rules to meet the current ozone standard. Those controls will continue to improve Texas ozone levels for years. But there is no action the state can take – not even draconian measures – that can overcome Texas’ climate and topography, as today’s EPA action requires.”
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Heflin named Director of Foundation’s Center for Fiscal PolicyMarch 10, 2008
Former House Appropriations Chairman joins TPPF permanent staff
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation announced today that former House Appropriations Chairman Talmadge Heflin will become Director of the Foundation’s Center for Fiscal Policy, effective March 15, 2008.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Effective Justice reforms postpone need for new prisonsFebruary 05, 2008
  Revised projections from the Legislative Budget Board confirm that legislative proposals reflecting research and recommendations from the Texas Public Policy Foundation have postponed the need for new prisons by at least two years.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation announces “Thinking Economically” projectJanuary 18, 2008
Series of papers authored by renowned economist Dr. Arthur Laffer
  Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation formally released “Violate at Your Own Risk: The Immutability of Economic Laws,” the first paper in the Foundation’s Thinking Economically project.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement from Texas Public Policy Foundation President Brooke RollinsJanuary 15, 2008
On the Federal Spending and Taxpayer Accessibility Act of 2008
  "The Texas Public Policy Foundation has long understood that sunlight is the best disinfectant for rotten government. Wasteful and unethical spending is much less likely to happen when it can be readily exposed to public scrutiny."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation Establishes Center for Natural ResourcesJanuary 14, 2008
Former TCEQ Chair Kathleen Hartnett White to direct Center’s activities
  Kathleen Hartnett White, the former chair of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), will join the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s staff later this month as the Director of its new Center for Natural Resources.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Nixon Joins Texas Public Policy Foundation as Senior FellowJanuary 11, 2008
Author of 2003 lawsuit reforms will assist TPPF’s legal research
  The Honorable Joseph M. Nixon has joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation as a Senior Fellow in its Center for Economic Freedom. Foundation President Brooke Rollins made the announcement at last night’s closing dinner of the 6th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Gramm Elected Chairman of Texas Public Policy FoundationNovember 01, 2007
Second term as chairman of Texas’ leading free market think tank
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation recently announced that Dr. Wendy Lee Gramm was elected Chairman of its Board of Directors at its October 30th board meeting.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation: Global warming debate is not overOctober 01, 2007
Paper refutes claims that global warming caused by humans, is harmful
  A new paper released today by the Texas Public Policy Foundation debunks former Vice President Al Gore’s claim (which he will repeat during his Austin appearance tonight) that “the [global warming] debate is over.”
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Texas consumers will benefit from modernizing insurance marketAugust 28, 2007
Paper recommends shift of TDI focus from rate regulation to fairness and solvency
  The focus of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and other Texas policymakers on rate regulation has been misguided and damaging to Texas consumers, according to a new paper released today by the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation: University trustees have key role in higher education reformJuly 09, 2007
Trustees must lead on restructuring, quality control, and financial discipline
  A new report from the Texas Public Policy Foundation challenges university trustees to lead the charge in reforming higher education by evaluating their institutions’ mission, organization structure, curriculum and cost-efficiency.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Governor’s signature repeals unnecessary TIF taxJune 18, 2007
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauds Gov. Rick Perry’s signing of House Bill 735, which eliminates the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund tax in September 2008.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Jamie Story, Education Policy Analyst at the Texas Public Policy FoundationJune 15, 2007
On Gov. Rick Perry’s veto of House Bill 2646
  By ignoring student achievement in favor of an arbitrary measure of teacher ‘quality’ such as National Board certification, House Bill 2646 would have undermined the core principle of the incentive pay program that Gov. Perry and the Legislature worked so hard to implement. Gov. Perry’s veto was the correct action.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Bill Peacock, Director of the Center for Economic Freedom at the Texas Public Policy FoundationJune 15, 2007
On Gov. Rick Perry’s veto of House Bill 2006
  We are disappointed by the veto of House Bill 2006, which we believe to be the most significant legislation recognizing and protecting Texans’ most fundamental property rights in decades.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Byron Schlomach, Ph.D., Chief Economist for the Texas Public Policy FoundationJune 15, 2007
On Gov. Rick Perry’s budget line item vetoes
  At the start of this session, we calculated the amount the state budget could increase without creating an additional burden for Texas taxpayers. Keeping the increase in the state budget to roughly 9 percent and in line with estimated population and inflation growth over the coming biennium, we applauded the Legislature for staying near that limit with confidence that Gov. Perry’s line items would further ensure that taxpayers did not feel the growth of state government in their pocketbooks. We are pleased that Gov. Perry found ways to save additional areas in the budget and establish clear limits on state obligations.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Stout chosen by Claremont Institute as 2007 Lincoln FellowJune 14, 2007
  The Claremont Institute has selected Mary Katherine Stout, Vice President for Policy and Director of the Center for Health Care Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, as one of its 2007 Lincoln Fellows.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Byron Schlomach, Ph.D, Chief Economist for the Texas Public Policy FoundationMay 26, 2007
On the conference report for HB 1, the 2008-09 state budget
  Based on our preliminary analysis, the proposed 2008-09 budget agreement would increase state spending by 9.3 percent over the next two years. This is a dramatic improvement from the previous session's budget growth.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Senate vote moves TIF tax one step closer to extinctionMay 24, 2007
Foundation: Consumer tax cut long overdue
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauds the Texas Senate’s approval yesterday of HB 735, which will finally kill off the unnecessary Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) tax.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Senate strengthens property rights legislationMay 24, 2007
House should concur with HB 2006 amendments
  Senate amendments added to HB 2006 and HB 3057 earlier this week significantly strengthen both property owners’ rights and limit the abuse of eminent domain.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
House to honor Levin for leadership in TYC and adult corrections reformsMay 11, 2007
  Marc Levin, Director of the Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, will be honored on the House floor Monday morning for his efforts to reform the Texas Youth Commission and the adult corrections system.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by the Honorable Talmadge Heflin, former Chairman of the House Appropriations CommitteeMay 10, 2007
Dunnam amendment hijacked all future property tax cuts
  Texas taxpayers will be outraged once they learn that 81 members of their Texas House have taken hostage all future property tax relief until the Legislature authorizes a massive increase in state spending. Ken Paxton, Rob Eissler, and Bryan Hughes are heroes for standing up for the taxpayers in the face of their 81 colleagues who made a mockery of tax relief.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Marc Levin, Director of the Foundation’s Center for Effective JusticeMay 08, 2007
On the Texas House’s passage of SB 103, the Texas Youth Commission reform bill
  We are pleased that both houses of the Texas Legislature have taken decisive action to reform a wayward agency that, in many instances, worsened rather than improved the state of the youth in its custody.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Day 119…and still no meaningful taxpayer protectionsMay 07, 2007
Foundation disappointed by failure of HJR 44
  Today, the Texas House of Representatives failed to protect taxpayers when it fell seven votes short of the 100 necessary to pass HJR 44 by Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas).
- - - - - - - - - - - -
State surplus will support additional 9-cent property tax cutMay 04, 2007
New Foundation projections eliminate fiscal concerns about HB 2785
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation urged the Texas House of Representatives to pass HB 2785 by Rep. Ken Paxton (R-McKinney), scheduled for floor debate later today. The bill would provide an additional 9-cent property tax cut on top of the 50-cent cut passed during last year’s special session.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation applauds rollback of animal ID mandateApril 25, 2007
Levin: 180 days in jail unjustified for not reporting animals to government
  Yesterday’s House passage of HB 461 is a small but significant step toward removing disproportionate punishments from Texas law, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Texas among three highest states for telecommunications tax burdenApril 19, 2007
New Foundation report shows taxes make up 18-20% of Texas consumers’ phone bills
  A report released today by the Texas Public Policy Foundation underscores how important it is that the Texas Legislature cut taxes on telecommunications services this session.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
State employees should have Health Savings Account optionApril 19, 2007
Stout: Crownover’s HB 1269 would provide more choices to employees
  AUSTIN – “State employees concerned about the cost and quality of their health care should tell their legislators to let them choose Health Savings Accounts,” according to Mary Katherine Stout, Vice President of Policy and Director of the Center for Health Care Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation praises Senate passage of drug sentencing reformsApril 17, 2007
SB 1909 diverts low-level, non-violent users from prison to probation, treatment
  AUSTIN - The Senate has taken an important step toward rationalizing our criminal justice system by passing SB 1909 by Senators Rodney Ellis, John Carona, and Robert Deuell, according to Marc Levin, Director of the Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation: Noriega amendment shortchanged outstanding teachersMarch 30, 2007
Urges Texas Senate to return funding to incentive pay program
  The Texas House’s vote last night to punish its best teachers will undermine the state’s objectives to improve teacher quality and student performance, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Study: Electric competition has brought substantial benefits to TexasMarch 27, 2007
Market is working; Legislature should nix dramatic changes
  “Competition has brought substantial benefits to Texas in only a few years, both in absolute terms and relative to other states,” according to a study on the Texas electric market released today by the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Mary Katherine Stout, Vice President of Policy for the Texas Public Policy FoundationMarch 13, 2007
On the termination of the Texas Access Alliance contract with HHSC
  Today’s action illustrates the superiority of privatization over government provision of services. If a private vendor fails to meet the agency’s expectations, the state can hold that vendor accountable. Government employees never face such scrutiny for similar failures.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Holtsberry joins Foundation’s Center for Economic FreedomMarch 12, 2007
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation announced today that Kevin Holtsberry has joined its staff as a policy analyst in the Foundation’s Center for Economic Freedom.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by former House Appropriations Chairman Talmadge HeflinFebruary 19, 2007
Legislators should exceed spending cap to deliver promised property tax relief
  While conservatives are naturally hesitant to broach a constitutional spending limit that has been in place for 30 years, the goal of property tax relief justifies such a vote tomorrow.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation applauds signing of Utah universal school choice lawFebruary 13, 2007
Watershed event should encourage Texas legislators to act next
  The signing of the first statewide universal school choice law in Utah sends a strong signal to Texas legislators that they should act now to provide educational freedom and opportunity to Texas families, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Texas Public Policy Foundation praises Governor’s budget reform packageJanuary 31, 2007
Proposals would make state budget “leaner and cleaner”
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation praised Governor Rick Perry for the budget reform package he laid out today, saying that the measures – when adopted – would produce a state budget that is both leaner and cleaner.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Levin: Whitmire, Madden lay out viable alternative to more prisonsJanuary 30, 2007
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation commends Senate Criminal Justice Chairman John Whitmire (D-Houston) and House Corrections Chairman Jerry Madden (R-Plano) for presenting an alternative vision for criminal justice that would not require the construction of new prisons.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Byron Schlomach, Ph.D., Chief Economist for the Texas Public Policy FoundationJanuary 23, 2007
On the report from the Governor’s Task Force on Appraisal Reform
  “The report provides a framework to achieve true taxpayer protection. Property taxes are too high and have gone up too fast."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TPPF: Introduced 2008-09 state budget a good startJanuary 23, 2007
Legislators urged to hold line against additional spending
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauded Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Tom Craddick, and the members of the Legislative Budget Board for introducing a 2008-09 state budget that restrains spending increases well within population growth plus inflation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Byron Schlomach, Ph.D., Chief Economist for the Texas Public Policy FoundationJanuary 11, 2007
On the Legislative Budget Board’s adopted spending cap for 2008-09
  “Texas state government is as big as it needs to be. Our position continues to be that any growth in the state’s budget should be limited to inflation and population increases."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement by Brooke Rollins, President of the Texas Public Policy FoundationJanuary 08, 2007
On Comptroller Susan Combs’ revenue estimate
  "Today's revenue estimate vindicates Texas' decision to keep taxes and government spending low."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Guenthner Joins Foundation StaffDecember 17, 2006
Brings experience and insight to role as Director of Media and Government Relations
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation announced today the selection of David Guenthner as its new Director of Media and Government Relations.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Sullivan Leaves TPPF to Head New OrganizationNovember 29, 2006
Foundation names three new leadership positions: Peacock, Stout, Hanrahan
  After five years serving as the chief spokesman and principle government affairs director, Michael Quinn Sullivan is ending his tenure as vice president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement on Passing of Economist Milton FriedmanNovember 16, 2006
Nobel Prize Winner Supported Work of TPPF
  Nobel Prize winning economist Dr. Milton Friedman passed Thursday, November 16, 2006, at the age of 94 in San Francisco.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
SBOE should strengthen high school curriculumNovember 13, 2006
Hearing will have long-term benefits for Texas school children
  A new research report issued by the Texas Public Policy Foundation recommends that the quality and significance of a high school diploma should be strengthened to improve post-secondary opportunities for all Texas students.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Rollins Appointed to Appraisal Task ForceAugust 21, 2006
Will Explore Important Taxpayer Protection Issue
  Governor Rick Perry today announced the Texas Task Force on Appraisal Reform, which will include Texas Public Policy Foundation president Brooke Rollins.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Congress Should Make Line-Item Veto Available to PresidentJune 21, 2006
Similarly, Texas legislators should make governor’s existing power meaningful
  The United States House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Thursday on a bill that would revive the presidential line-item veto. This is an important tool for controlling the cost of government, says the Foundation's chief economist.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Governor, LBB Request 10% Budget CutJune 07, 2006
Good news for Texas economy, says economist
  The Office of the Governor and the Legislative Budget Board have requested state agencies to submit budget proposals that reduce spending by 10 percent. The chief economist at the Texas Public Policy Foundation says this is good news for taxpayers.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement on SurplusApril 24, 2006
Foundation president urges use of current, future surpluses
  With members of the Texas House poised to begin work on the tax bills today, the president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation urged them to make use of the state’s structural surplus – current and future.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Surplus Offers Big, Prudent Tax ReliefApril 17, 2006
New spending should not be considered as legislators meet
  The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts announced the estimated surplus for the state has grown to $8.2 billion – up from previous surplus estimates of $4.3 billion. The president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation said the funds should be used exclusively for tax relief.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement on Texas Animal Health Commission decision to postpone consideration of mandatory premises registrationApril 04, 2006
  The Texas Animal Health Commission announced a decision to postpone consideration of mandatory premises registration until 2007. This was welcome news for Marc Levin of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Policy Issues Focus of Podcast ProgramMarch 16, 2006
Weekly program features interviews on current issues
  The Foundation has launched a new audio service, Texas PolicyCast. This weekly interview program will focus on policy issues facing the state.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Do ‘Progressive’ and ‘Regressive’ Matter?March 13, 2006
Tax policy must provide economic growth, opportunity
  While some would like to see the debate over whether taxes are regressive or progressive take center stage in the tax policy debate, it is arguable that there are far more important issues at stake.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Shared Services Is Key to Public School EfficiencyMarch 03, 2006
Shared service agreements are better alternative for improving efficiency and educational outcomes
  The recently released report, "School District Consolidation and Public School Efficiency," explains how improved efficiency and educational outcomes in Texas public schools can be achieved through shared service agreements that consolidate administrative functions without merging organizations.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Texas Is Loaded Up On Telecom TaxesFebruary 23, 2006
Recommendations Made To Save Texans $382 Million Per Year
  A recently released report, "Texas Telecommunications Taxes: An Overview," examines the high tax rates on telecommunications services and provides recommendations which would save Texas taxpayers over $382 million per year.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Public School Accreditation Merits ExaminationFebruary 13, 2006
Strengthening Statutory Requirements for Public School Accreditation Improves Academic Quality, Public Confidence
  A recently released report, “Accreditation of Texas Public Schools: Increasing the Value,” concludes that strengthening statutory requirements for public school accreditation would improve academic quality and public confidence.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Use Surplus for Tax ReductionFebruary 08, 2006
Comptroller’s Announcement Gives Lawmakers, Taxpayers Opportunity for Significant Property Tax Reduction
  Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn today announced $4.3 billion in estimated surplus. This money should be used to buy down the state’s property tax rate according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation president.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Report Series Focuses On State BudgetJanuary 31, 2006
Former House Appropriations Chair Examines Spending, Accountability
  In the first of a series of reports examining the state budget, the former House Appropriations chairman says the state must develop a strong accountability system to be able to track future expenditures.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Policy Orientation To Draw HundredsJanuary 05, 2006
Two-Day Event Includes Discussions With Lawmakers, Experts
  More than a dozen issues will be covered by leading lawmakers and recognized experts from across the political and ideological spectrum when the Fourth Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature kicks off on Monday.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Wohlgemuth Joins Foundation StaffDecember 29, 2005
Brings Practical Legislative Expertise In Reforming Health Care
  With exploding health care costs driving growth in the state’s economy, the Texas Public Policy Foundation announced today that former state representative Arlene Wohlgemuth would assist the organization’s policy work in Medicaid reform.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Policy Orientation Keynotes AnnouncedDecember 08, 2005
Event Features Dewhurst, Craddick, Hecht, Sharp and Gingrich
  With the Fourth Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature a month away, the Texas Public Policy Foundation announced the keynote speakers and panel topics that will be featured in the event.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Well-Paid Teachers?December 06, 2005
New Study Examines How Texas Ranks, Could Improve
  While various methods of evaluating pay paint different pictures of teacher compensation in Texas compared to the rest of the states, a new study shows the current system fails to meet the needs of teachers, schools and students.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
S&P Evaluation Of Spending ‘Disappointing,’ Says Task Force MemberNovember 23, 2005
Report Fails To Acknowledge Body Of Research On Importance of Classroom Spending
  Standard & Poor’s, the financial data firm, has issued a report that runs counter to a large body of research on the effectiveness of standards for school spending. S&P reported that there was no relationship between allotment of dollars to the classroom, and academic achievement. That conclusion is disappointing, says the Foundation's Chris Patterson.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Court Finds ‘Pouring More Money’ Is Not The SolutionNovember 22, 2005
  The Texas Supreme Court today issued their ruling on the state’s school finance system, calling for a complete overhaul. In their ruling, the court took to task an inefficient system rife with “constitutional challenges,” noting that simply “pouring more money into the system may forestall those challenges, but only for a time.”
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Early Registration Begins For Policy OrientationNovember 16, 2005
Two-Day Event Focuses On Issues Facing Texas
  The Fourth Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature -- January 9 & 10, 2006 -- brings together lawmakers, policy experts and interested citizens to discuss the most critical issues facing the state. Legislative offices and the general public can now register online!
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Heflin Joins Foundation StaffNovember 14, 2005
Former House Appropriations Chairman Guiding TPPF Budget Effort
  With the state budget increasing 18.7 percent over last biennium, Texas taxpayers are left wondering where the money is going. To answer that question the former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee will lead a comprehensive budget study of the state’s budget, announced Texas Public Policy Foundation president Brooke Rollins.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Private Property Still VulnerableNovember 09, 2005
Legislature’s Summer Fix Does Not Provide Ultimate Security, Says Report
  Despite the state legislature’s attempt to shore up property rights in wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Kelo decision, Texans are still vulnerable, according to an analysis issued by the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Governor Orders Incentive Pay SystemNovember 02, 2005
Foundation’s Primer Last Week Explored Issue As Way To Improve Education
  Governor Rick Perry issued an executive order directing the Texas Education Agency to establish an incentive-based pay program for Texas teachers who succeed in bringing academic achievement to disadvantaged schools. This follows on the heels of a standing-room only event exploring the issue hosted by the Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Study Recommends Expansion Of Charter SchoolsSeptember 28, 2005
Findings Counter Conventional Wisdom On Academic Impact Of Charters
Texas’ Charters Serve Students With The Greatest Needs
  Charter schools are making an important contribution to public education in Texas – improving educational outcomes of students both in charters and traditional public schools – according to a new study from the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation Welcomes New Development AssociateSeptember 26, 2005
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation today welcomed Donna Kay Peterson of Austin as the new development associate.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation Expands Research StaffSeptember 07, 2005
Business Consultant Brings Mathematical Expertise To Education Research
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation continues to expand the depth and expertise of its staff research team. The Foundation’s president today announced the hiring of Jamie Story for the newly created position of education policy analyst.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
State Spends $2,200 Per Second With New BudgetSeptember 01, 2005
Spend-O-Meter Shows How Fast State Government Spends Money
  Just one minute into the new budget, which begins at midnight on September 1, 2005, state government will have already spent $132,003. Every 24 hours, state government will spend in excess of $190 million. Texans wanting to see how fast lawmakers are spending tax dollars need look no further than the Texas Spend-O-Meter, a new tool available September 1 on the front page of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s website.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Governor Signs Eminent Domain ReformAugust 31, 2005
Measure Offers Some Protection After Kelo Decision, But More Needed
  Governor Rick Perry signed into law Senate Bill 7, passed during the recent special session in response to the U.S. Supreme Court giving local governments broad powers to take land for economic development. But according to an analyst at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, more work is needed to protect property rights.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Texans Deserve Education ReformAugust 02, 2005
Legislature Should Deliver On Reform, Not Excuses
  Texas’ children, parents and teachers deserve real reform, said the president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation at a Capitol press conference. "Texans expect policy results, not political excuses."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Education, Tax Reform In DangerJuly 27, 2005
Lawmakers Must Work In Taxpayers' Interests
  The Texas House on Tuesday voted down important legislation to reform public schools after amendments watered down the bill. The president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation said it was important for lawmakers to keep working in the interest of children, parents and taxpayers.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HB2 Is Good For TexasJuly 19, 2005
Reforms Will Improve Public Education
  A House-Senate conference committee's work on education reform will point Texas schools in the right direction, improving efficiency and effectiveness. "Parents and taxpayers know this legislation marks a commitment to solid academic performance and demonstrable results," said Foundation president Brooke Rollins.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement On Tax BillJuly 19, 2005
Recent House Proposal Is Right Direction
  With no agreement likely to be reached before the end of the First Called Session of the Texas Legislature on a tax bill, the vice president of the Foundation urged lawmakers to keep pushing in the direction of transparency to ensure economic growth.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
On Senate’s Passage Of CSHB3July 11, 2005
Good Policy Direction Being Taken Into Conference Committee
  With the early morning passage of CSHB3 on July 11, the Texas Senate set the right direction for conference committee negotiations with the state house, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s chief economist. “Taken on the whole, the Senate’s tax bill represents a good policy direction for the state. It’s not perfect, but it represents a big win for everyone who cares about economic growth, tax transparency and good government,” said Byron Schlomach, Ph.D.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Ogden Right To Reject LBB AnalysisJuly 10, 2005
Such Forecasts Fail To Consider Real World, Notes Schlomach
  With Texas Senate Finance Committee Chairman Steve Ogden’s refusal to use fiscal analysis from the Legislative Budget Board coming under attack, the chief economist for the Texas Public Policy Foundation said the senator is right to be suspicious.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Governor Expands Call To Include Property RightsJuly 10, 2005
  Governor Rick Perry expanded the Call of the Special Session to include private property rights protection in response to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, Kelo v New London.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement On Senate Passage Of Education ReformJune 30, 2005
  "The senate's education reform measure brings some real strengths to the conference committee, complimenting the work the house did earlier in the week," said Chris Patterson, director of research at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
House Committee Adopts Tax PlanJune 29, 2005
Statement On Plan Adopted By Ways & Means Committee
  AUSTIN, Texas--The House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday adopted a tax plan offered by State Rep. John Smithee that reduces property taxes without creating new classes of taxes.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
House Passes Historic ReformsJune 28, 2005
Education Bill Brings More Accountability
  AUSTIN, Texas--The Texas House passed House Bill 2 late Tuesday night, and was praised for its “forward-thinking approach” to improving public education by the research director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Reform Schools For All ChildrenJune 24, 2005
HB2 Brings Critical Improvements To Public Education
  At a press conference, the president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation praised the reforms found in House Bill 2 as “good for all Texans.”
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement On Governor's Tax PlanJune 21, 2005
  “The governor’s plan recognizes that we cannot stifle economic growth by applying burdensome new taxes, but we still need to abolish the franchise tax altogether,” said Brooke Rollins, president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement On Special SessionJune 18, 2005
  "It's our hope that legislators will come to Austin with the desire to enact true tax reductions and important education reform. Lawmakers have the chance to do right by taxpayers, students and the future of Texas' economy."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement on Governor's Veto of HB2193June 17, 2005
  "Texans recognize that the current probation system is broken with unacceptably high rates of revocations and recidivism. While HB 2193 contained positive reforms such as progressive sanctions and the expansion of drug courts, it also had many problems."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Bloated Budget Passes Both ChambersMay 29, 2005
Spending Growth Demonstrates Need For Taxpayer Protection
  The Texas House on Sunday followed the Senate’s lead in passing a $139.4 billion budget, which the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s vice president, Michael Quinn Sullivan, today described as “too big, even for Texas.”
- - - - - - - - - - - -
‘Zero Tolerance’ ReformMay 26, 2005
Restores Common Sense To Punishment Of Students
  Marc Levin, director of the Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, applauds the Legislature for making much needed reforms to Texas' zero tolerance law.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Spending Too MuchMay 20, 2005
Legislature Must Live Within Taxpayers’ Means
  As budget negotiators for the House and Senate continue work on the spending and tax plans, the vice president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation urged them to exercise the same fiscal restraint found during the last legislative session.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
School Choice Passes House CommitteeMay 19, 2005
Measure Opens Door To More Opportunities
  Hundreds of thousands of students would be given the opportunity for a better education and a brighter future under a school choice plan voted out of the House Public Education Committee as part of the Texas Education Agency reauthorization bill.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Conferees Urged To Stay Firm On Key ReformsMay 17, 2005
  The Foundation's director of research urges the conference committee to "offer all children the opportunity to secure the education they need to be successful."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Senate Shines Light On Local TaxesMay 12, 2005
Passage Of SB18 Ensures Taxpayers Are Informed
  With passage of Senate Bill 18, the Texas Senate has ensured local taxpayers will have more information about property tax rates. “This important legislation brings more sunshine to the property tax process by requiring greater disclosure for the taxpayer,” said Michael Quinn Sullivan, the Foundation's vice president.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Senate’s Tax Bill: Not There YetMay 06, 2005
With Tax Hike & Job Loss, Senate Must Still Work To Improve
  While the version of House Bill 3 passed by the Senate Finance Committee on Friday (May 6, 2005) is substantively better than that which was originally proposed earlier in the week, Texans could still face a $2.9 billion increase in their overall tax burden, according to an econometric model run by the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Senate Should Consider Sound EconomicsApril 28, 2005
With Tax Plan Soon To Be Debated, Economist Calls For Restraint
  AUSTIN, Texas – With the State Senate poised to consider major revisions to the state’s tax system next week, the chief economist of the Texas Public Policy Foundation urged them to reject bad economic policy.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
House Brings Truth To TaxationApril 26, 2005
Passage Of HB1006 Gives Taxpayers Greater Power
  With passage of House Bill 1006, the Texas House of Representatives brings greater transparency to the property tax system and empowers taxpayers. “This commonsense legislation brings more truth and openness to the property tax system by limiting the amount of new revenues local governments can take in simply by allowing appraisal values to creep up,” said Michael Quinn Sullivan, vice president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Academic Choice Gets HearingApril 04, 2005
Experts To Testify That Students, Parents, Taxpayers All Benefit
  Parents in Texas would have greater power in providing for their children’s education under any of three pieces of legislation to be considered by the House Committee on Public Education, two of the state’s leading education experts will tell lawmakers on Tuesday.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TIF Tax Abolished By HouseMarch 23, 2005
Legislature Proves It Can Kill A Tax
Foundation President Admits
  The Texas House today voted by a three-to-one margin to repeal the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund tax, levied on all Texans since 1995. "A tax has died at the hands of the Legislature. We've never been so happy to be wrong," said Brooke Rollins.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TPPF Moves Into Criminal Justice IssuesMarch 17, 2005
Center For Effective Justice Will Examine New Ways To Address Crime
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Center for Effective Justice. The Center's initial charge will be to study criminal justice issues in the Lone Star State, and to develop and promote new public policy approaches that work to repair the harm done to victims, reduce recidivism, and minimize the costs to the taxpayer.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Will Texans Win With VLTs?March 09, 2005
Risks Could Outweigh Benefits Of Expanded State Gambling
  As lawmakers consider ways to fund Texas government, some are advocating an expansion of state-run gambling to include video lottery terminals, or VLTs. With some projecting a $2 billion windfall, VLTs are an attractive source of income. But a report issued today by the Texas Public Policy Foundation suggests the VLT lucre does not come without costs.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Craddick, House Pass Historic ReformMarch 09, 2005
HB2 Represents Academic Victory For All Texans
  With passage today of House Bill, the Texas House has delivered systematic reforms that will improve the chances of academic success for all Texans.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Taxpayer Protection Must Be PriorityFebruary 28, 2005
Legislation will force lawmakers to live within the people’s means
If measure had been in place since 1990, Texas families would have kept $1,600 in 2003
  State budget challenges of recent years have brought into focus the importance of fiscal discipline and accountability, while calling into question the efficiency of the tax and expenditure limitation set in the Texas constitution in 1978. A stronger limitation is needed, said the Texas Public Policy Foundation's vice president at a Capitol press conference.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Workers’ Compensation: No WinnersFebruary 09, 2005
Study finds current system costs too much, does too little
  A new study by Chris Patterson, director of research at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and John Colyandro, executive director of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute, recommends that lawmakers commit to a ground-up revamping of the Texas worker's compensation system.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Policy Orientation PowerPoint PresentationsJanuary 27, 2005
  The PowerPoint Presentations from the Policy Orientation are available for download.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Who pays Texas taxes? EveryoneJanuary 12, 2005
“Business” taxes hurt the consumer, employees, owners
  With the Texas legislature now in session, calls for increased taxes are being sounded by the advocates of numerous programs. Newspapers, elected officials and advocates have opined in recent days that taxes should be raised on “the rich,” businesses, cigarette smokers and similar sources. But a paper released this week by a Texas economist finds such a proposal will backfire with unintended consequences.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Fiscal discipline has rewardsJanuary 10, 2005
Long promoted by Foundation, spending restraint benefits everyone
  While other states are still struggling with lagging economies and budget deficits, Texans will likely see a surplus in the next biennium’s budget, according to preliminary figures released Monday by the Comptroller of Public Accounts.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Nau elected to Foundation’s BoardJanuary 06, 2005
Houston businessman has long served community, state, nation
  Houston businessman John L. Nau III, president and chief executive officer of Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P., has been elected to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s board of directors.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
3rd Annual Policy Orientation AnnouncedDecember 29, 2004
Features Keynotes By Perry, Dewhurst, Craddick
  AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Public Policy Foundation will host the 3rd Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on January 26 and 27, 2005.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Houston Businessman Elected Foundation ChairmanOctober 22, 2004
Chemical Industry Exec. McMinn Long Supporter Of Texas Public Policy Foundation
  Houston businessman William A. McMinn was elected chairman of the all-volunteer Board of Directors of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, the state’s leading free market policy research institute.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
New Approach To Water ProblemsOctober 19, 2004
Desalination Has Potential To Alleviate Future Battles
  Water fights are not new to Texas; since before the Lone Star State joined the Union, water rights have been bartered, litigated, fought over, bought and sold for years, and are as contentious today as they have ever been. But a new study finds an emerging technology might alleviate those fights in the future.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation Economist Says Congressional Action Good For TexasOctober 07, 2004
Conference Committee Approves Sales Tax Deduction!
  The chief economist of the Texas Public Policy Foundation greeted with cheer news that federal lawmakers on a House-Senate conference committee had decided to restore sales tax deductibility to federal income taxes for citizens living in states without a state-level income tax.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Study Explores Medicaid SpendingSeptember 22, 2004
Urges use of innovation, markets to combat rising costs, uninsured
  A study released this week by the Texas Public Policy Foundation finds that despite sharply increased spending on Medicaid, the state has remained at the bottom of the national rankings of the uninsured.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Ruling Only Considers Money, Not OutcomesSeptember 15, 2004
  The Foundation's chief economist offered a brief comment on the state district judge's school finance ruling. The judge ruled the current school finance system violates the Texas Constitution.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Do Texas Taxpayers Need Protecting?August 18, 2004
New Paper Explores “Tax And Expenditure Limitations”
  An average family of four in the Lone Star State could have had an extra $1,600 in their pocket last year if the state’s budget growth during the 1990’s had been restricted to population growth and inflation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation Reveals House’s Adequacy Study LimitationsJuly 28, 2004
Fresh Analysis Includes Rankings Of Efficiency, Cost Not Widely Distributed
  The Texas Public Policy Foundation has conducted an analysis of the Texas House’s much-publicized study of public education spending. According to the Foundation’s chief economist, the study is educational, but of limited value for policy and legal decisions.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
State Auditor Finds Abuse In CHIP ProgramJuly 08, 2004
Says In Excess Of $20 Million Lost Due To ‘Unnecessary Or Excessive Payments’
  Foundation president Brooke Rollins says: “This is precisely why the calls to simply throw more money at government programs flunks the commonsense-test. Programs like CHIP must be scrubbed for sound management, fiscal efficiency and effectiveness long before we entertain the idea of simply giving them millions more. Solutions such as deregulating health insurance thus making it more affordable for employers to offer to employees is the real answer to our uninsured crisis in Texas.”
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Rail DisastersJuly 01, 2004
New Study Explores Costs, Dangers Of Light Rail
  While rail transit is a popular solution to traffic woes, a new study published by the Texas Public Policy Foundation raises questions about the effectiveness – and even safety – of the projects.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Texans must know “true cost” of educationMay 05, 2004
New study evaluates job of public schools in educating kids
  A new study asks why, despite decades of reform, massive infusions of funds, aggressive efforts by policymakers, and the strong commitment of educators, there is no significant improvement in academic proficiency of high school graduates, closure of the achievement gap, and increase in high school graduation rates.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
New Book Explores School ChoiceApril 08, 2004
Authors on Both Sides of Issue Offer Facts and Ideas
  A new book, co-published by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation, explores the often contentious issue of school choice, and the role it might play in Texas’ upcoming debate on school finance reform. Nine authors from both sides of the issue present their ideas in this 100-page volume, “Putting the Sides Together: School Choice In Texas?”
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TSTA Poll Fails RealityMarch 03, 2004
Texans Deserve Results, Not Bigger Bills
  Responding to a poll released today (Wednesday, March 3, 2004) by the Texas State Teachers Association, the Foundation's vice president said, "It’s no surprise TSTA wants ever-increasing amounts of the taxpayers’ money to be spent without regard to results.”
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Affecting Academic AchievementFebruary 25, 2004
Comprehensive study debunks myths in school finance
  A new study explores key issues in school finance, evaluates the tax proposals to fund education, and debunks widely held assumptions about what does and does not influence student achievement.

“This research fundamentally challenges most of the things many of us have assumed about public education and school finance,” said Brooke Rollins, the Foundation’s president.

- - - - - - - - - - - -
Split Rolls Carry Pros, ConsJanuary 31, 2004
Foundation Economist Says Property Tax Changes Carry Promise, Problems
  As the prospect of a special session focusing on public education finance increases, some state leaders are considering a proposal that would separate the way property taxes are levied on residences and businesses. In a report issued today, the chief economist for the Texas Public Policy Foundation notes such a move represents a mixed-bag of positives and negatives.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Orientation Takes On Biggest IssuesJanuary 27, 2004
State, National Experts Joining Lawmakers to Provide Insights
  When the 2nd Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature gets underway this week, more than three dozen lawmakers and experts will be offering their insights on the biggest issues facing the state this year and next.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Day 1 of Orientation: Focus on School FinanceJanuary 23, 2004
Featured Speakers Include New Commissioner, Lieutenant Governor
  Kicking off the Second Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature will be one of the first public addresses by the newly appointed Commissioner of Education, Dr. Shirley J. Neeley. Her comments will open the day’s examination of school finance reform.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation Caps RegistrationJanuary 19, 2004
Two Weeks Out, the Policy Orientation is Full
  Two weeks prior to the Second Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature, the volume of registrations forced the hosts to create a waiting list for individuals hoping to attend.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Policy Orientation Focuses on Texas IssuesJanuary 09, 2004
Second Annual Event Brings Sides Together
  The Foundation announces the speakers and panelists for the Second Annual Policy Orientation, including Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, legislators and experts from around the state and nation.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Foundation Offers Condolences to Lezar