TPPF files suit over federal regulation of Bone Cave Harvestman arachnid

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF)’s Center for the American Future representing Williamson County resident John Yearwood and Williamson County, Texas today filed suit to intervene into the pending lawsuit seeking delisting of the Bone-Cave Harvestman from the Endangered Species Act. Mr. Yearwood and Williamson County, Texas challenge 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 December 16, 2015

Texas Lt. Gov. Patrick, Nevada Lt. Gov. Hutchison & Former U.S. Sen. Gramm to keynote TPPF Policy Orientation

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) is pleased to announce that Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Nevada Lieutenant Governor Mark Hutchison, and former Senator Phil Gramm as keynote speakers at the 14th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature. The keynote luncheon, “Education Freedom and the American Future” will take place on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 12:30 pm CST at the Hilton Austin Hotel in the Grand Ballroom.

Press Release December 16, 2015

TPPF Policy Orientation panel to address school finance in Texas

The Texas Supreme Court is expected to rule on the school finance trial in the spring of 2016. To examine opportunities for reform this litigation presents, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Education Freedom will host the panel “School Finance: After 30 Years of Litigation, How Can Texas Restructure Education to Benefit Students?” 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 Salon J.

Press Release December 16, 2015

TPPF Policy Orientation panel to address school finance in Texas

The Texas Supreme Court is expected to rule on the school finance trial in the spring of 2016. To examine opportunities for reform this litigation presents, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Education Freedom will host the panel “School Finance: After 30 Years of Litigation, How Can Texas Restructure Education to Benefit Students?” 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 Salon J.

Press Release December 16, 2015

TPPF Policy Orientation panel to address the growing administrative state

Federal and state agencies play increasingly ubiquitous and decisive roles in American’s lives. To examine how increasing administrative power, in particular the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), impacts Texas and Federalism, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment will host the panel “The Fourth Branch: EPA and the Administrative State” at the 14th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 11:00 am CST at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Salon J.

Press Release December 16, 2015

Report: Texas ranks third  for economic freedom in U.S.

Texas ranks third for economic freedom in the United States according to a new study released this month by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. The report, Economic Freedom of North America 2015, ranks states based on their levels of economic freedom—measured in size of government, taxation, regulation, rule of law, etc.—using data from 2013, the most recent year of available data. The report’s subnational ranking system spotlights state and local government policy, comparing U.S. states to U.S. states.

Press Release December 15, 2015

TPPF Policy Orientation panel to address Texas water needs

Recent drought in Texas has highlighted the need to streamline burdensome state regulations. To examine how to meet future water needs, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment will host the panel “Regulatory Water World: How Best to Prepare for Growth in Texas” 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 Room 616.

Press Release December 15, 2015