AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Supreme Court today issued their ruling on the state’s school finance system, calling for a complete overhaul. In their ruling, the court took to task an inefficient system rife with “constitutional challenges,” noting that simply “pouring more money into the system may forestall those challenges, but only for a time.”...
Press Release November 22, 2005The Fourth Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature — January 9 & 10, 2006 — brings together lawmakers, policy experts and interested citizens to discuss the most critical issues facing the state. Panel topics include: School Choice Teacher Pay Education Spending Eminent Domain Telecommunications Homeowners’ Insurance Medicaid Healthcare Tax & Spending Restorative Justice Water...
Press Release November 16, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – With the state budget increasing 18.7 percent over last biennium, Texas taxpayers are left wondering where the money is going. To answer that question the former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee will lead a comprehensive budget study of the state’s budget, announced Texas Public Policy Foundation president Brooke Rollins. Talmadge Heflin...
Press Release November 14, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – Despite the state legislature’s attempt to shore up property rights in wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Kelo decision, Texans are still vulnerable, according to an analysis issued by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The Kelo decision allows local governments to seize private property using eminent domain authority and transfer it to...
Press Release November 9, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Rick Perry today (Nov. 2) issued an executive order directing the Texas Education Agency to establish an incentive-based pay program for Texas teachers who succeed in bringing academic achievement to disadvantaged schools. The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s director of research, Chris Patterson, praised the decision. “The governor’s executive order is a...
Press Release November 2, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – Charter schools are making an important contribution to public education in Texas – improving educational outcomes of students both in charters and traditional public schools – according to a new study from the Texas Public Policy Foundation. This new study by Texas A&M economists Timothy J. Gronberg, Ph.D., and Dennis W. Jansen,...
Press Release September 28, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Public Policy Foundation today welcomed Donna Kay Peterson of Austin as the new development associate. Peterson, a graduate of Arizona State University, will assist in grant writing, donor relations and special event planning. She previously worked for the firm Gitenstein & Assadi Public Relations as a junior account executive. “Donna...
Press Release September 26, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Public Policy Foundation continues to expand the depth and expertise of its staff research team. The Foundation’s president today announced the hiring of Jamie Story for the newly created position of education policy analyst. “We’re excited to welcome Jamie on our staff,” said Brooke Rollins. “She brings a solid depth...
Press Release September 7, 2005State Spends $2,200 Per Second With New Budget Spend-O-Meter Shows How Fast State Government Spends Money AUSTIN, Texas – Just one minute into the new budget, which begins at midnight on September 1, 2005, state government will have already spent $132,003. Every 24 hours, state government will spend in excess of $190 million. Texans wanting...
Press Release September 1, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Rick Perry signed into law Senate Bill 7, passed during the recent special session in response to the U.S. Supreme Court giving local governments broad powers to take land for economic development. But according to an analyst at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, more work is needed to protect property rights....
Press Release August 31, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – Texas’ children, parents and teachers deserve real reform, said the president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation at a Capitol press conference on Tuesday. “Texans deserve stronger academic and financial accountability, more money directed into the classroom, and cash rewards for the best teachers in our schools,” said Rollins. “Texans expect policy...
Press Release August 2, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – With the crafting of a comprehensive education reform package, the Texas Legislature has ensured taxpayers, parents, teachers and children will see stronger, more efficient schools, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s president, Brooke Rollins. “This is the most comprehensive reform of education in two decades,” said Rollins. “By driving more money...
Press Release July 19, 2005