AUSTIN – 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.

“There are few people in Austin with Talmadge’s knowledge of the state budget and a reputation as a committed fiscal conservative and leader,” said Foundation president Brooke Rollins. “We are honored by his decision to work more closely with the Foundation in this capacity. His practical experience with the state budget and taxes makes him a great asset to our organization.”

Heflin originally joined the Foundation in November 2005 as a Visiting Research Fellow. In that capacity, he supervised a comprehensive study of the Texas state budget. As the Center’s Director, Heflin will join the Foundation on a full-time basis.

“The Foundation’s board of directors and entire staff has enjoyed working with Talmadge in his capacity as a visiting fellow over the last several years,” Rollins continued. “I am ecstatic that he will be working with us on a daily basis.”

Heflin served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1983 through 2005. For much of his career, he was the only House member to serve on both the Ways & Means and Appropriations committees. During the 78th Texas Legislature, Heflin chaired the Appropriations committee, closing a $10 billion state budget shortfall through targeted spending cuts that allowed Texans to avoid a tax increase.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin.

- 30 -