Press

ICYMI: TPPF’s Bone Cave Harvestman Lawsuit Featured on Fox News “Special Report”

Texas Public Policy Foundation’s (TPPF) Bone Cave Harvestman lawsuit was the focus of “Special Report with Bret Baier” on Fox News. TPPF’s Center for the American Future is representing Williamson County resident John Yearwood and Williamson County, Texas in American Stewards of Liberty, et al. v. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, et al. The lawsuit challenges the authority of the federal government to use the Interstate Commerce Clause to regulate non-commercial interactions with the Bone Cave Harvestman arachnid, which only exists in two central Texas counties, is not bought nor traded in interstate commerce, and does not otherwise affect interstate commerce.

Press Release March 3, 2017

TPPF Statement on the Property Taxpayer Empowerment Act

The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Local Governance Director James Quintero issued the following statement on the announced drafting of House Bill 15 (HB 15), the Property Taxpayer Empowerment Act, which would overhaul Texas’ property tax system. HB 15 comes in response to overwhelming public outcry and several legislative initiatives to reform the system.

Press Release March 3, 2017

TPPF Statement on Texas-Led Coalition Urging EPA to Suspend Information Collection Requests

The Texas Public Policy’s General Counsel and Center for the American Future Director Robert Henneke released the following statement on the letter signed by Texas as part of an 11-state coalition to suspend and withdraw the current information collection request for existing oil and gas facilities.

Press Release March 2, 2017

TOMORROW: TPPF’s Bryan Mathew to Testify on Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones before the House Committee on Special Purpose Districts

Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Bryan Mathew, policy analyst with the Center for Local Governance, will testify on tax increment reinvestment zones before the House Committee on Special Purpose Districts TOMORROW, Thursday, March 2, at 8:00 a.m. CST in room E2.028 of the Texas State Capitol. Mathew is the author of the recently released paper, Tackling Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, which examines tax increment financing through tax increment reinvestment zones and offers recommendations to increase effectiveness and transparency.

Press Release March 1, 2017

TOMORROW: TPPF Hosts Event to Celebrate 10 Years of Criminal Justice Reform in Texas

Right on Crime, a national project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), will host an event to celebrate 10 years of criminal justice reform in Texas and the nation. The event, a panel discussion on the success of the Right on Crime model and the future of criminal justice reform, will take place TOMMORROW, Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the Texas Public Policy Foundation at 3:00 PM CST.

Press Release February 28, 2017

Texas could radically streamline its Medicaid administration

Medicaid is the largest single cost item in the Texas state budget. Yet, spending decisions in Texas are made 1,523 miles away in Washington, D.C.

Press Release February 28, 2017

Texas Public Policy Foundation Sends Principles of Healthcare Reform to Texas Delegation: “Repeal and Respect”

The Texas Public Policy Foundation today sent a letter to the Texas Congressional Delegation outlining key principles for renewing American healthcare. The principles are centered on the full repeal of Obamacare and restoring the Constitutional role of the states in regulating healthcare.

Press Release February 28, 2017

TPPF Releases Paper on Ridesharing in Texas

The Texas Public Policy Foundation today released the paper Replacing Ridesharing Red Tape with a Red Carpet by TPPF’s Center for Local Governance Policy Analyst Bryan Mathew and R Street Institute Senior Fellow and Southwest Region Director Josiah Neeley. The paper examines the economic and public safety effects of varying municipal regulations restricting ridesharing in Texas.

Press Release February 28, 2017

TOMORROW: TPPF’s Dr. Vance Ginn to Testify on Franchise Tax before Texas Senate Finance Committee

Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Economist Dr. Vance Ginn will testify before the Texas Senate Finance Committee TOMORROW, Tuesday, February 28, at 9:00 a.m. CDT in room E1.036of the Texas State Capitol. Dr.Ginn will focus his remarks on Senate Bill 17, relating to decreasing the rates of the franchise tax until it is eliminated, and Senate Bill 142, related to simplifying the determination of the cost of goods sold in computing the franchise tax.

Press Release February 27, 2017

TOMORROW: TPPF’s Dr. Vance Ginn to Testify before Texas House Public Education Committee on School Finance

Texas Public Policy Foundation Economist Dr. Vance Ginn will testify before the Texas House Public Education Committee on Issues Related to School Finance TOMORROW, Tuesday, February 28, at 12:00 p.m. CT in room E2.036 of the Texas State Capitol. Dr. Ginn will provide invited testimony that outlines a new approach to the school finance system in Texas.

Press Release February 27, 2017

TPPF Statement on UT/Texas Tribune Legislative Priorities Poll

The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Director of the Center for Local Governance James Quintero issued the following statement on The University of Texas and the Texas Tribune statewide survey on the 85th Legislature’s top priorities, which was conducted from Feb. 3-10, 2017. The most frequent response when asked what issue should be the “the legislature’s top priority” was “lowering property tax bills for homeowners.”

Press Release February 24, 2017

TPPF Releases Paper on Texas’ State Debt and Public Pensions

The Texas Public Policy Foundation today released the paper Reducing the Burden of Texas’ State Liabilities on Current and Future Generations by the Center for Fiscal Policy’s director The Honorable Talmadge Heflin, economist Dr. Vance Ginn, and research associate Melissa Schlosberg. The paper explains the rising burden of state liabilities (i.e., debt and pensions) on Texans and makes recommendations to alleviate this burden.

Press Release February 23, 2017