“We are disappointed to learn that Texas will likely resort to using its rainy day fund this early in the legislative session. Legislators in both the House and Senate should heed Speaker Straus’ commitment to continue looking for budget savings that will reduce any draw on the rainy day fund. “Having partially depleted the rainy...
Press Release March 15, 2011“The concerns about job security of the teachers attending today’s rally at the State Capitol are understandable. While no one should be completely immune from budget reductions in this tough fiscal cycle, teachers should certainly not be the first cuts – as too many school districts have proposed. “Over the last 20 years, state spending...
Press Release March 12, 2011AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation has joined forces with several influential Texas organizations to promote the Health Care Compact, an agreement between participating states that moves authority, responsibility, and control over funding for the health care system to member states. The compact seeks to engage citizens in the development of state-based health care...
Press Release March 8, 2011AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas House on Tuesday voted down important legislation to reform public schools after amendments watered down the bill. The president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation said it was important for lawmakers to keep working in the interest of children, parents and taxpayers. "Texans deserve real tax relief and education reform...
Press Release March 1, 2011AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation unveiled a proposal that would replace the federal Medicaid program with a state-driven TexHealth program, dramatically transforming the way medical care and services are provided to low-income individuals. “The federal Medicaid program is structurally designed to make states spend money in ineffective ways,” said TPPF Executive Director Arlene...
Press Release February 22, 2011AUSTIN – The U.S. Census data today are a tremendous vindication of Texas’s policy framework of free markets and limited government, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation. According to the new census data, Texas’ population has surpassed 25 million, with growth of 20.6 percent during the last decade – more than twice the national...
Press Release February 17, 2011AUSTIN – As the Texas House Appropriations Committee hears from state university leaders today on its budget recommendations for Texas higher education, the Texas Public Policy Foundation encourages the dialogue to focus on how to achieve greater operating efficiencies in our state colleges and universities. “Before lawmakers roll back their initial budget reductions for Texas...
Press Release February 16, 2011“This report makes for some interesting trivia, but if Texas is such a horrible place, why have 4.5 million people moved here in the last decade? How is Texas adding four new congressional seats when California is not gaining congressional seats for the first time ever? Because what people care most about are jobs –...
Press Release February 15, 2011AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation praised Gov. Rick Perry’s “State of the State” address today, noting that several of the policy priorities he mentioned in his remarks mirror recommendations in the Foundation’s “Keeping Texas Competitive” program. “The challenges Texas faces today are considerable but we have shown before that we can emerge stronger...
Press Release February 8, 2011AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation announces that Kristen Indriago will join the Foundation on Friday, February 4 as its new deputy communications director. Indriago will manage the Foundation’s day-to-day communications activities and serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries and scheduling requests. “The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s communications program has...
Press Release February 1, 2011Statement by Mario Loyola, Director of the Foundation’s Center for Tenth Amendment Studies: “Judge Roger Vinson’s ruling striking down the individual mandate as an unconstitutional exercise of the Commerce Power is correct. Congress has never before required the purchase of a good or service, nor should it be granted such pervasive authority.” Statement by The...
Press Release January 31, 2011AUSTIN – During the last two years, the Texas Public Policy Foundation has significantly increased its research and outreach activities – responding to the threat from federal overreach posed to states' liberties, and the opportunities at home for Texas to continue its role as the nation's economic leader. Working with diverse coalitions of elected officials,...
Press Release January 21, 2011