AUSTIN, Texas — State District Judge John Dietz issued his ruling in the school finance lawsuit today. Byron Schlomach, Ph.D., is the chief economist for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and offered this comment: "Judge Dietz, like so many others, has only considered the amount of money spent and not considered how it is being...
Press Release September 15, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – An average family of four in the Lone Star State could have had an extra $1,600 in their pocket last year if the state’s budget growth during the 1990’s had been restricted to population growth and inflation, according to a study released by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The full study, “Tax...
Press Release August 18, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Public Policy Foundation has conducted an analysis of the Texas House’s much-publicized study of public education spending. According to the Foundation’s chief economist, the study is educational, but of limited value for policy and legal decisions. The Foundation has also reviewed the House study’s ranking of school districts by efficiency,...
Press Release July 28, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas State Auditor today issued a report highly critical of the administration of the Children’s Health Insurance Program by the Health and Human Services Commission. The report (available at the state’s website, www.sao.state.tx.us/reports/2004/04-042.pdf) finds in excess of $20 million in unnecessary or excessive payments by the commission out of CHIP funds...
Press Release July 8, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – While rail transit is a popular solution to traffic woes, a new study published by the Texas Public Policy Foundation raises questions about the effectiveness – and even safety – of the projects. Great Rail Disasters: Impact Of Rail Transit On Urban Livability is available online at www.TexasPolicy.com. “The rush to build...
Press Release July 1, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – A new study asks why, despite decades of reform, massive infusions of funds, aggressive efforts by policymakers, and the strong commitment of educators, there is no significant improvement in academic proficiency of high school graduates, closure of the achievement gap, and increase in high school graduation rates. The full study, Paying For...
Press Release May 5, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – A new book, co-published by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation, explores the often contentious issue of school choice, and the role it might play in Texas’ upcoming debate on school finance reform. Nine authors from both sides of the issue present their ideas in...
Press Release April 8, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – The vice president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation responded to a poll released today (Wednesday, March 3, 2004) by the Texas State Teachers Association. “It’s no surprise TSTA wants ever-increasing amounts of the taxpayers’ money to be spent without regard to results,” said Michael Quinn Sullivan. “More than 60 percent of...
Press Release March 3, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – A new study, to be released Wednesday by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, explores key issues in school finance, evaluates the tax proposals to fund education, and debunks widely held assumptions about what does and does not influence student achievement. The Foundation is Texas’ leading market-oriented, non-profit research institution. The study, Effective,...
Press Release February 25, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – As the prospect of a special session focusing on public education finance increases, some state leaders are considering a proposal that would separate the way property taxes are levied on residences and businesses. In a report issued today, the chief economist for the Texas Public Policy Foundation notes such a move represents...
Press Release January 31, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – When the 2nd Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature gets underway on Wednesday, more than three dozen lawmakers and experts will be offering their insights on the biggest issues facing the state this year and next. While Wednesday’s program will focus exclusively on issues surrounding education reform and tax changes, Thursday...
Press Release January 27, 2004AUSTIN, Texas – Kicking off the Second Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature will be one of the first public addresses by the newly appointed Commissioner of Education, Dr. Shirley J. Neeley. Her comments will open the day’s examination of school finance reform. The Policy Orientation, being held January 28 and 29 at the...
Press Release January 23, 2004