Austin – Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released the following statement regarding the state budget for 2020-2021: “It’s unfortunate that the Texas Legislature’s budget exceeds responsible spending limits,” said TPPF Senior Economist Vance Ginn. “The 2020-21 Texas budget of $243.7 billion, which excludes funds to Harvey recovery and property tax relief, is a 12.5...
Press Release May 27, 2019AUSTIN—Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released the following statement on the announcement that the Governor, Senate, and House have reached agreements on funding education and cutting property taxes: “The plan delivers on the promise to cut property taxes, fund education, and enact important reforms that will keep Texas the most prosperous state in the...
Press Release May 23, 2019Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released the results of a poll that again demonstrates Texans’ overwhelming opposition to taxpayer-funded lobbying. Nearly nine out of ten Texans (88%) say they oppose using tax dollars to fund lobbyists to just five percent who say they support it. Fully 78 percent say they strongly oppose taxpayer money going...
Press Release May 22, 2019AUSTIN— The Texas Senate passed House Joint Resolution 38 that has been previously passed by the Texas House. The next step for this measure is to be on the November ballot for Texans to choose whether Texas should ban a personal income tax for any reason, which today a state personal income tax could be implemented to replace...
Press Release May 21, 2019AUSTIN— Today, as the Texas House prepares to debate taxpayer-funded lobbying, the Texas Public Policy Foundation took this opportunity to remind lawmakers exactly where Texans stand on the issue. Starting at 11 a.m., an airplane flew over the Texas Capitol with the TPPF-sponsored message: TEX OPPOSES TAX-FUNDED LOBBYING. Recent polling shows that 91 percent of Texans...
Press Release May 20, 2019AUSTIN—The Texas House of Representatives is expected to consider Senate Bill 29 on Monday. SB 29 prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars by local governments to hire lobbyists to advocate against tax reform, bond transparency, and ethics issues and requires greater government disclosure. The bill has received bipartisan support from lawmakers growing frustrated with local governments spending more than $40...
Press Release May 19, 2019AUSTIN— Last night, the Texas House voted overwhelmingly in favor of the passage of Senate Bill 943, a bill to expand the disclosure requirements of government contracts under the Public Information Act and revise exceptions from disclosure based on competitive advantage and trade secrets. The new law would strengthen the public’s right to know and is now headed...
Press Release May 18, 2019AUSTIN— Today, the Texas House of Representatives passed SB 18 with amendments. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for concurrence. “Free speech and debate is essential to both American education and American democracy. SB 18, as amended by the House would, if passed, be among the strongest campus free speech bills in the country,” said...
Press Release May 17, 2019AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation announced its support of President Trump’s proposal to secure the border and reform parts of America’s immigration system. The administration’s plan would not only ensure the safety and security of Americans, but also prioritize a merit-based immigration system that puts Americans and the country’s economic interests first....
Press Release May 17, 2019AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Right on Crime initiative published the policy perspectives Ten Tips for Policymakers for Improving Probation and Ten Tips for Policymakers for Improving Parole. Three Tips for Policymakers for Improving Probation: Reduce criminalization and incentivize and expand use of police and pretrial diversion. Assess risk and criminogenic needs of each person placed...
Press Release May 17, 2019AUSTIN— Today, the Texas House of Representatives will debate whether or not taxpayers should continue to fund government lobbying, as well as the need for stronger reporting requirements for lobbying activities. “We expect our elected officials to be judicious in the use and allocation of taxpayer dollars,” said Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Executive Director Kevin...
Press Release May 17, 2019AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Senate gave final approval to House Bill 477, a bill that brings uniformity and transparency to the debt issuance process. The bill calls for the creation of a voter information document, requires local governments to disclose more information related to the issuance of certificates of obligation, and increases the amount of information...
Press Release May 15, 2019