TPPF files summary judgment motion in Austin short-term rental ordinance case

The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s litigation Center for the American Future filed its summary judgment motion to determine that the City of Austin’s short-term rental ordinance violates Plaintiffs’ rights under the Texas Constitution. Supported by evidence collected from the city during the litigation, the’ motion shows how Austin’s ordinance violates residents’ rights under the Texas Constitution to privacy, assembly, equal protection, movement, due course of law, and the right to be secure from unreasonable search and seizures. 

Press Release August 29, 2017

TPPF Statement on the Department of Energy’s Report on Electricity Markets and Reliability

The Texas Public Policy Foundation released the following statement on the Department of Energy’s new Report on Electricity Markets and Reliability:

Press Release August 24, 2017

Poverty measure needs reform

The Texas Public Policy Foundation released two papers about poverty, one detailing the chronic failure of the Official Poverty Measure to accurately assess poverty, the other examining links between higher economic freedom and lower poverty rates.

Press Release August 24, 2017

New state-level jobs report shows Texas’ job creation continues to lead nation

Today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released state-level labor market information for July 2017.

Press Release August 18, 2017

TPPF statement on conclusion of special session

Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation issued the following statement about the conclusion of the first-called special session of the 85th Texas Legislature.

Press Release August 16, 2017

TPPF Statement on Passage of Annexation Reform

Earlier today, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Senate Bill 6, the Texas Annexation Right to Vote Act, which substantially reforms the municipal annexation process. Most importantly, the new law requires large cities to obtain consent from those being annexed before taking action. 

Press Release August 15, 2017

TPPF Statement on Conservative Texas Budget and Public Education

Today, the Texas Public Policy issued the following statement on the sustainability of a 2018-19 Conservative Texas Budget given proposed increased expenditures related to public education.  

Press Release August 14, 2017

TPPF statement on initial House passage of property tax reform

The Texas House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to Senate Bill 1, a bill to reform Texas’  local property tax system in some important ways. Specifically, this bill, if enacted, would require certain taxing jurisdictions to lower their rollback tax rates and require an automatic election to ratify any rate adopted above the reduced rollback rate.

Press Release August 12, 2017

TPPF Applauds the Passage of Municipal Tree Regulation Reform

The Texas Senate passed House Bill 7, which would reform city regulatory authority over tree removal.

Press Release August 11, 2017

TPPF Applauds the Passage of Annexation Reform

The Texas House gave preliminary approval to Senate Bill 6, which would reform municipal annexation practices.

Press Release August 11, 2017

TPPF applauds Department of the Interior’s proposal to expand use of public lands

The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauds U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke on his proposal to open or expand opportunities at 10 national wildlife refuges.

Press Release August 11, 2017

TPPF and Department of Justice jointly oppose environmental groups’ motion to intervene into warbler lawsuit

On Tuesday, the Texas Public Policy Foundation representing the Texas General Land Office filed formal opposition to a motion to intervene by environmental groups in the case of General Land Office of the State of Texas v. United States Fish & Wildlife Service, et. al. According to a 2015 study published by the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, the warbler no longer is endangered or threatened. In fact, the A&M study estimates the warbler population as being 19 times greater and having a habitat of five times larger than when the bird was listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Press Release August 9, 2017