TPPF statement on school debt bill
Today, the Texas House is expected to take up for debate House Bill 506, a proposal to allow certain school districts to exceed the 50-cent debt limit and get further into debt.
Press Release May 11, 2015TPPF statement on Texas amicus brief supporting Florida ObamaCare lawsuit
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Friday that he filed an amicus brief in support of State of Florida’s lawsuit against the Administration’s attempt to unlawfully coerce Florida to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for the American Future Robert Henneke issued a statement.
Press Release May 11, 2015TPPF applauds Abbott, Cornyn, Cruz, & McConnell for standing strong against EPA overreach
Today, Texas Governor Greg Abbott met with Senators John Cornyn (TX-R) and Ted Cruz (TX-R) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in Washington D.C. to discuss pushing back against the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan, which is a sweeping assertion of federal power over states to radically overhaul the entire system of electric power. The EPA’s rule would force the state of Texas to change its law to comply with a federal regulation that violates federal law as well as the U.S. and Texas constitutions.
Press Release May 7, 2015TPPF applauds lt. governor’s commitment to requiring a supermajority to raise property taxes
Though the Texas House and Senate do not yet agree on the best way to provide tax relief, there is a growing recognition of the need for structural tax reform. One critical reform—a requirement that local governing bodies achieve a supermajority before approving a property tax rate that brings in more revenue than the entity raised in the prior year—appears to have much promise, with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick this week signaling that he was “doubling down” on efforts to see it through to completion.
Press Release May 7, 2015TPPF statement on Senate passage of building code legislation
The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s (TPPF) Center for Local Governance Senior Policy Analyst Jess Fields issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 1679, which increases the accountability and transparency of the process by which building codes are adopted by municipalities.
Press Release May 7, 2015TPPF releases analysis of first quarter employment in Texas
Despite a highly diversified economy, headwinds related to a prolonged drop in oil prices and a strong U.S. dollar slowed job creation in the first quarter.
Press Release May 6, 2015TPPF statement on Texas plan to sue Obama over Clean Power Plan
TPPF applauds the Attorney General’s announcement of his intention to challenge the legality of EPA’s attempt to reengineer and thus nationalize the nation’s entire system of electric generation.
Press Release May 6, 2015TPPF statement on passage of local fracking ban legislation
The Foundation’s Center for Local Governance Senior Policy Analyst Jess Fields and Armstrong Center for Energy & Environment Leigh Thompson issued statements on House Bill 40, which clarifies that the regulation of oil and gas operations is under the jurisdiction of the state.
Press Release May 5, 2015TPPF hosts debate on Free Speech and the Non-Profit Community
The Texas Public Policy Foundation will host a debate on “Free Speech and the Non-Profit Community: Freedom of Association vs. Forced Disclosure” TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. CDT in the Joe B. Hogsett Theater at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Press Release May 4, 2015TPPF applauds Senate amendment to protect property taxpayers
The Texas Senate yesterday adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1760 that would help limit the growth of property taxes. The amendment requires local government bodies, such as school boards, to get a 60 percent vote to adopt tax rates above a certain amount, rather than a simple majority of the board.
Press Release May 1, 2015TPPF releases paper on pretrial proceedings for poor defendants
The Texas Public Policy Foundation today released a paper by Center for Effective Justice Director Marc Levin on providing timely counsel for indigent defendants. The paper, Bringing Balance to Pretrial Proceedings: Solutions for Early Representation of Indigent Defendants, identifies improvements in pretrial justice for those unable to afford counsel.
Press Release April 30, 2015TPPF’s James Quintero testifies before Senate State Affairs Committee
The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Local Governance Director James Quintero testified today before the Senate Committee on State Affairs on Senate Bill 1806, which would ensure the conformity of local ordinances and regulations with state law.
Press Release April 30, 2015