Talmadge Heflin – Director, Center for Fiscal Policy “The Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s request for a 19% budget increase deserves to be heavily scrutinized by the Texas Legislature. Taxpayers being asked to foot such a large increase for more of the same should be a clear message to legislators that fundamental reform is needed....
Press Release August 14, 2008AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation congratulates Collin County Judge Keith Self and his colleagues on the commissioners court for their successful launch last Friday of the Collin County Financial Transparency Project. “While many cities and counties have their adopted budgets online, it’s refreshing to see Collin County take the initiative to become the...
Press Release August 11, 2008"Today's EPA decision will increase food prices, drive up fuel costs, and reduce fuel efficiency at a time when Americans can least afford any of these. "The denial of Gov. Rick Perry's waiver request means the massive distortions in our economy will continue. Texas livestock producers will suffer billions of dollars in additional losses, and...
Press Release August 7, 2008"While the development of renewable energy resources is generally a good thing, we can't hide from its high costs. Building the transmission capacity to carry energy from West Texas and the Panhandle to East Texas will be tremendously expensive. "The costs of building those new transmission lines should be borne by the companies who develop...
Press Release July 17, 2008AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation debuted TexasBudgetSource.com today, a new website that will provide a comprehensive resource for information on state and local government budgets and spending. “Texas has been a leader in the movement to increase transparency of state and local government spending,” said Foundation president Brooke Rollins. “Citizens become better informed...
Press Release July 8, 2008The Texas Public Policy Foundation announced today that Justin Keener will join the Foundation’s staff on August 1st as its new vice president of policy and communications. “Our staff has worked with Justin inside and outside the capitol and respects him immensely,” said Foundation President Brooke Rollins. “His mixture of policy and communications experience will...
Press Release July 2, 2008AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation announced that it had created a new website, www.TexasHigherEd.com, to promote goals and specific reforms that will establish Texas as the outright leader in 21st century higher education. “Texas can be the nation’s leader in higher education reform and provide a home to the best teachers, researchers, and...
Press Release June 30, 2008"We support the Commissioner's decision to rescue children from a school that has consistently performed below even the state's minimum expectations. Closing Johnston High School reflects the state's commitment to hold schools accountable for unacceptable performance, and to give students the chance to move into another educational setting that can prepare them for a successful...
Press Release June 4, 2008The Texas Public Policy Foundation extends its condolences to the family of longtime board member Michael Stevens, who passed away on Saturday. Stevens was a Houston-based real-estate developer in his professional life, but Stevens also left a significant mark in the Texas public policy arena. Besides his involvement with the Foundation, he was vice chair...
Press Release May 28, 2008AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauds the State Board of Education for its vote today to raise the rigor of the state’s academic standards in English and language arts. “It is obvious that too many Texas public school students aren’t learning the basics with our current curriculum,” said Foundation education policy analyst Brooke...
Press Release May 23, 2008AUSTIN – The regents of Texas’ major state university systems met today to consider a set of common goals and specific reforms that will establish Texas as the outright leader in 21st century higher education. “Today, we started a conversation that will move us toward a frank assessment of those approaches that can improve our...
Press Release May 21, 2008AUSTIN – The signing of a universal school choice law in Georgia should encourage Texas lawmakers to provide parents and students with more educational choices here, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Yesterday, Gov. Sonny Perdue signed legislation that creates both individual and corporate tax credits for contributions to “Student Scholarship Organizations,” which are...
Press Release May 15, 2008