AUSTIN, Texas – As Texans face the April 15th federal tax deadline, they are ever mindful of the growing tax burden everyone bears. Whether it is federal, state or local taxes, people are working harder and longer just to pay their tax bill. For example, Texans’ tax burden is 11 times larger today than in...
Press Release April 12, 2002AUSTIN, Texas – How strong is the relationship between Texas' economic growth and its tax burden? Numerous studies from the United States and around the world indicate it is stronger than anyone may have previously believed. In a new study released today by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, acclaimed economist Richard Vedder, Ph.D., finds that...
Press Release March 29, 2002AUSTIN, Texas – When the State Board of Education meets this Thursday, it will consider a proposal from Chair Grace Shore to halt public comment on proposed social studies textbooks in July, despite the fact the board will not adopt books until November. Notice provided by the board's agenda on the TEA's web site indicates...
Press Release March 10, 2002AUSTIN -Texas Public Policy Foundation President Jeff Judson today announced the selection of Michael Quinn Sullivan as the organization's Director of Media and Government Relations. In this role, Sullivan will be responsible for the development and execution of public relations strategies, serving as spokesman before the state's print, electronic and broadcast news media. In addition,...
Press Release March 2, 2002MIDLAND, Texas – A new study unveiled in Midland finds that an income tax would be a drag on Texas’ economy, and suggests that reliance on sales taxes and user-fees will harm economic growth the least. “During the 1990s, almost 3 million people moved from states with incomes taxes into states without income taxes. That...
Press Release February 28, 2002AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Rick Perry announced today the details of his comprehensive “Trans Texas Corridor” plan, incorporating roads, rail, and utility infrastructure. Jeff Judson, president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, said the fiscally responsible plan aggressively addresses Texas’ transportation needs. “As the governor has said in the past, Texas’ funding emphasis must be...
Press Release January 28, 2002AUSTIN – In the next school year Texas students will be required to take a new statewide academic assessment test that replaces the TAAS. Unless test design problems are quickly addressed, this test could suffer from the same educational shortcomings of its predecessor while undermining the state’s accountability system, according to research released this week...
Press Release January 6, 2002AUSTIN, Texas – When the 78th Legislature Policy Orientation opens and closes, education will be on everyone's mind. In fact, the two most important – and controversial – educational topics facing Texas will be tackled the first day, according to the Foundation's director of education policy. "Two questions must be answered by state legislators –...
Press Release January 1, 2002DALLAS, Texas – Despite spending more than a billion dollars to promote mass transit and build new systems such as “light rail,” the share of Dallas County residents who used the transit system has fallen over the last decade, according to an analysis of numbers released through the US Bureau of the Census. Texas Public...
Press Release November 28, 2001AUSTIN, Texas – With allegations of mismanagement and impropriety hanging around their necks, the State Board of Education took the right step last week when it reconvened an advisory committee of independent financial experts for the $18 billion Permanent School Fund. The advisory committee had been active for ten years, but was suspended by former...
Press Release November 12, 2001NOTE: TPPF Education Research Director Chris Patterson will testify before the State Board of Education on Thursday, November 8, 2001. An advance copy of her testimony is available. AUSTIN – Textbook publishers should be congratulated for their efforts to improve middle school science texts by working with the public to correct errors in fact,...
Press Release November 8, 2001AUSTIN – Steadily increasing traffic will only worsen in the next 20 years, with big-rig trucks expected to increase 100 percent on Texas’ urban roadways. A new study of transportation issues finds the answer to the problem runs counter to conventional wisdom while providing a more cost-effective way to reduce pollution: increasing the use of...
Press Release October 31, 2001