AUSTIN, 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, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – With no agreement likely to be reached before the end of the First Called Session of the Texas Legislature on a tax bill, the following statement was issued by the vice president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation: “It’s unfortunate that an agreement hasn’t been reached on property tax relief, but the...
Press Release July 19, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – With the early morning passage of CSHB3, the Texas Senate set the right direction for conference committee negotiations with the state house, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s chief economist. “Taken on the whole, the Senate’s tax bill represents a good policy direction for the state. It’s not perfect, but it...
Press Release July 11, 2005AUSTIN, Texas – With Texas Senate Finance Committee Chairman Steve Ogden’s refusal to use fiscal analysis from the Legislative Budget Board coming under attack, the chief economist for the Texas Public Policy Foundation said the senator is right to be suspicious. “Too many people in and around the legislative process have taken to using the...
Press Release July 10, 2005