AUSTIN, Texas – Despite the rhetoric and headlines, there is not a teacher shortage and an across-the-board pay raise will not address problems in Texas schools, according to a report issued today by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “There is no teacher shortage, it is a myth,” said Chris Patterson, the Foundation’s director of education...
Press Release September 25, 2002AUSTIN, Texas – An internationally acclaimed economist warns that Texas’ reputation as a low tax state attractive to new industry hangs in the balance. The Texas system needs “moderate changes designed to make the Lone Star State even more attractive to individuals and businesses.” In the fifth installment of his comprehensive six-part “Taxing Texans” series,...
Press Release September 18, 2002AUSTIN, Texas – An exhaustive review of the proposed social studies textbooks to be considered by the State Board of Education has found more than 500 factual errors, and hundreds of additional problems with insufficient discussion of key people, places and events. The complete listing of factual errors will be submitted to the Texas Education...
Press Release July 10, 2002AUSTIN, Texas – As the Texas Public Policy Foundation prepares to release reviews of proposed social studies textbooks, problems are being uncovered according to the foundation’s director of education research. Even after new textbooks are adopted by the State Board of Education this November, pinpointing Texas on a map and knowing why colonists threw tea...
Press Release July 2, 2002AUSTIN, Texas – The US Supreme Court today upheld the Cleveland, OH, school voucher program, clearing away obstacles for more wide-spread use of the school choice vehicle. The following statement was issued today by Texas Public Policy Foundation president and CEO Jeff Judson: “This is a great day for all parents and children; they have...
Press Release June 26, 2002AUSTIN, Texas – With 40 percent of Texas’ general spending going toward education, the Lone Star State outpaces the national average of 34 percent. Further, Texas outspends Florida, Colorado and California, according to a new study to be released today [Wednesday, June 26, 2002] by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The study – part four...
Press Release June 26, 2002SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The following statement has been issued by Texas Public Policy Foundation president Jeff Judson, following comments made by the executive director of the “Every Texan Foundation” comparing the two organizations and their tax status: “We are not familiar with the ‘Every Texan Foundation,’ other than what we have recently read in...
Press Release April 26, 2002AUSTIN, 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, 2002