TPPF 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, 2015

TPPF 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, 2015

TPPF 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, 2015

TPPF 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, 2015

TPPF 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, 2015

TPPF 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, 2015

TPPF 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, 2015

TPPF 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, 2015

TPPF 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, 2015

TPPF’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

TPPF statement on the Texas House’s $4.9 billion tax cut package

Today, the Texas House passed a $4.9 billion tax-cut package, which includes House Bill 31 and House Bill 32. HB 31 cuts the state’s sales tax rate from 6.25 percent to 5.95 percent and puts in place a mechanism to use funds to further cut the rate in the future at a potential savings to taxpayers of $2.31 billion. HB 32 lowers the business franchise tax rates by 25 percent, raises the cap to $20 million to file an EZ form at a lower rate, requests a study on full repeal of the margin tax, and puts in place mechanisms to eventually phase out the tax at an additional savings to taxpayers of $2.56 billion.

Press Release April 29, 2015

TPPF statement on Oklahoma stand against EPA overeach

The Texas Public Policy Foundation today commended Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin for issuing an executive order stating that Oklahoma will not file a State Implementation Plan (SIP) with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulating carbon dioxide emission produced by Oklahoma power plants. 

Press Release April 29, 2015