TPPF Policy Orientation session to address forced annexation

Abuses of the Home Rule Amendment to the Texas Constitution have led to more and more cities practicing involuntary annexation. Property owners and residents currently have no opportunity to consent to or contest their annexation under the law. To discuss how to address the issue of private property rights and forced annexation, the Texas Public Policy Foundation will host the plenary session “No Voice, No Vote: Forced Annexation in Texas” at the 14th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 4:30 pm CST at the Hilton Austin Hotel in the Austin Grand Ballroom.

Press Release December 9, 2015

TPPF statement on White House threat to veto Red River legislative fix

The Texas Public Policy’s (TPPF) Center for the American Future Director Robert Henneke issued the following statement on the White House threat to veto a legislative solution to the federal seizure by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of private property along the Red River in Texas.

Press Release December 9, 2015

TPPF Policy Orientation panel to address property taxes in Texas

Texans voted in November for property tax relief by increasing the homestead exemption for school district property taxes. To examine the voters’ decision and what should be done in the interim and next legislative session to alleviate property taxes, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Local Governance will host the panel “Breaking Point: Texas Property Tax Problem and Finding a Fix” at the 14th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 9:30 am CST at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Meeting Salon K.

Press Release December 9, 2015

TPPF releases competitive contracting study

Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) today released “Competitive Contracting: League City, Texas.” The new study examines the benefits of competitive contracting processes as applied to League City, Texas. The study suggests that League City’s core city services could be provided at significantly lower costs while maintaining or improving their quality by implementing competitive contracting practices.

Press Release December 9, 2015

TPPF Policy Orientation panel to discuss local control vs. local liberty

Controversial and possibly illegal city ordinances, like plastic bag bans and fees, have sparked an intense debate over the proper role of local control and the rule of law. To examine the local control vs. local liberty debate that transpired in the 84th Legislative Session, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Local Governance will host the panel “Local Control vs. Local Liberty” at the 14th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 2:00 pm CST at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Meeting Salon K.

Press Release December 8, 2015

TPPF Policy Orientation panel to address public pension reform

AUSTIN – Texas’s state and local retirement systems are in danger of fiscal disaster. The latest data shows Texas has in excess of $57 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. To discuss how to fix public pensions, the Texas Public Policy Foundation will host the panel “The Untouchables: A Look at Local Retirement Systems Protected by Sate Law” at the 14th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 9:30 am CST at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Salon K.

Press Release December 8, 2015

TPPF Policy Orientation panel to address overcriminalization

The ever-growing breadth and depth of the criminal law and administrative laws with criminal penalties results in the average American unknowingly committing an estimated three or more felonies each day. To highlight some of the successes pushing back against overcriminalization and illustrate the ground to be gained for further reform, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Effective Justice will host the panel “Three Felonies a Day: How Everyday Behavior Affects Everyday People” at the 14th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Wedensday, January 6, 2016 at 1:30 pm CST at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Salon K.

Press Release December 8, 2015

TPPF: Proposed EPA “Source Rule” lacks understanding of oil and gas sector

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) filed a comment with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a proposed rule for making source determinations for certain emission units in the oil and natural gas sector. The proposed “Source Rule” proposes two options for determining whether two or more properties in the oil and gas sector are “adjacent.” Both options present overly broad aggregation standards that would substantially slow the permit review process, transform minor oil and gas sources to major stationary-like sources, and fundamentally abrogate and undermine existing state authority.

Press Release December 4, 2015

TPPF’s James Quintero testifies on local ordinance integrity and debt transparency

James Quintero, Director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Local Governance, will provide invited testimony tomorrow, December 2, 2015, before the Texas Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations at 9:30 a.m. in Room E1.012. Quintero will testify on interim charge #2 examining local ordinance integrity and charge #4 studying local debt transparency.

Press Release December 2, 2015

TPPF statement on Texas General Land Office intervening in Aderholt, et al. v. Bureau of Land Management

The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for the American Future Director Robert Henneke issued the following statement on the Texas General Land Office’s (GLO) intervening in Aderholt, et al. v. Bureau of Land Management, et. al., which challenges the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) unconstitutional and arbitrary seizure of thousands of acres of private property along the Red River in Texas.

Press Release December 2, 2015

TPPF releases spotlight paper on the Texas Enterprise Fund

The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Economic Freedom today released a paper by Center Director Bill Peacock and Research Associate Cody Ross on the Texas Enterprise Fund. The paper, The Texas Enterprise Fund, is part of the Foundation’s series, Spotlight on State and Local Government.

Press Release December 2, 2015

TPPF releases policy brief outlining the need for spending limit reform in Texas

The Texas Public Policy Foundation today released “TEL It Like It Is: Why Texas Needs Spending Limit Reform” by the Honorable Talmadge Heflin, director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s (TPPF) Center for Fiscal Policy and former chairman of the Texas House Committee on Appropriations, and TPPF Economist Dr. Vance Ginn.

Press Release December 1, 2015