AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation today expressed its support for legislation ending Texas’ renewable energy credits trading program. HB 2026 was filed today by Rep. Scott Sanford of McKinney. “Wind has been the recipient of billions in subsidies for decades,” said Josiah Neeley, policy analyst with the Foundation’s Armstrong Center for Energy and...
Press Release February 28, 2013AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation, National Federation of Independent Businesses-Texas, Americans for Tax Reform, and the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute published an open letter to the members of the 83rd Texas Legislature today urging the elimination of the Texas margin tax. The letter may be found online here: www.nomargintax.com “For nearly five years...
Press Release February 26, 2013AUSTIN – Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation issued this statement on the passing of former Foundation Board member Vance Miller: "When I assumed the presidency of the Texas Public Policy Foundation in 2003, Vance Miller had been on its Board for three years already — and much of the...
Press Release February 25, 2013The American Action Forum this month released a survey of major health care insurers that shows the effect of ObamaCare on premiums in 2014. For the young and healthy in the individual and small group market, the survey findings are not good: premiums will increase by an average of 169 percent for this group. For older, sicker people, the news is better. ObamaCare basically provides a subsidy for this group, whose average premiums are expected to decrease by nearly 25 percent. The survey includes information specific to Austin, where the young and healthy will see premiums go up by about 162 percent, and the old and sick will see their's decrease by about 32 percent. None of this should come as a surprise. Expect more news like this as we get closer to full ObamaCare implementation in 2014. (Complete survey results here.)
Press Release February 22, 2013AUSTIN – In light of the recent media attention concerning Medicaid expansion, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s leading health care and fiscal policy experts are available to offer further analysis of this failed program. The Foundation has extensively researched health care policy issues including Medicaid reform and ObamaCare through publications such as: Final Notice: Medicaid Crisis; Medicaid Reform; Assuring...
Press Release February 22, 2013AUSTIN – Texas Public Policy Foundation and allies will hold a press conference on Saturday, February 23, at 10:30 a.m., on the north steps of the Texas State Capitol. The coalition of speakers and policy eminences will call for decisive action from the 83rd Texas Legislature on school choice and real school reform in the Lone...
Press Release February 21, 2013AUSTIN – Texas Public Policy Foundation and allies will hold a press conference on Saturday, February 23, at 10:30 a.m., on the north steps of the Texas State Capitol. The coalition of speakers and policy eminences will call for decisive action from the 83rd Texas Legislature on school choice and real school reform in the Lone...
Press Release February 21, 2013AUSTIN – Ashley Sewell, formerly CEO of Carnivore Media, a boutique online image management firm, is bringing her talent to the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Right on Crime campaign. Ashley will continue working for smaller government, lower taxes, and increased personal responsibility both in Texas, as well as the rest of the nation. “It’s...
Press Release February 19, 2013“The Texas Impact report released today is an attempt to pressure state legislators into supporting Medicaid expansion. They should resist this pressure. “Currently, Medicaid provides the worst health care coverage in the developed world, and forcing large numbers of Texans into will not make them healthier, or better off. Numerous studies have shown that health...
Press Release February 18, 2013Prudent public policy suggests that taxes ought not to be raised unless a broad consensus exists. After all, why weigh down Texas taxpayers, slowdown the economy, and potentially kill jobs unless there is a clear and immediate need for more revenues? Ensuring that this kind widespread agreement on taxes exists is critical to the future prosperity of the state, which is why Senate Joint Resolution 27 and House Joint Resolution 83 are so important. In short, SJR 27 and HJR 83 would require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all lawmakers in each house of the Legislature before any state taxes could be raised or created. This simple but important requirement would be a big improvement over the current system, which only requires a simple majority vote to raise taxes. Considering that taxes affect us all and with so much at stake—jobs, the economy, and Texans’ financial well-being—it is not too much to ask that we set out certain, simple requirements before the Legislature can raise taxes. It’s prudent public policy and the right thing to do.
Press Release February 13, 2013AUSTIN – Today the Texas Public Policy Foundation expressed its strong support for the United States Senate's minority conference's decision to unite behind a balanced-budget amendment with strict limits on taxes and spending. “This is an important sign that momentum is building across the nation for the kind of truly transformational change that can restore...
Press Release February 12, 2013AUSTIN – Texas Public Policy Foundation president and CEO Brooke Rollins today congratulated Texas Public Policy Action (TPPA), a 501c4 organization, on its launch. TPPA willanalyze bills and provide Daily Floor Reports for the 83rd TexasLegislature. “At the Texas Public Policy Foundation, we have established a strong tradition of rigorous analysis and effective advocacy in the...
Press Release February 12, 2013