AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation submitted a comment to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) opposing recently proposed additions to the state’s list of threatened plant and animal species. TPPF opposes the unprecedented expansion by TPWD of the state endangered species lists adding 45 species to the lists. The TPWD proposed rules...
Press Release January 13, 2020Dear Members of Congress: We write to express concern regarding the Primary Care Enhancement Act of 2019 (S 2999) that would impose price caps and detrimental exclusions on the most successful model extant in healthcare today that offers affordable care with no exclusions for those with chronic conditions. While we appreciate efforts to pass meaningful...
Press Release January 10, 2020AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the study A Century of Evolving U.S. Immigration Law 1920 to the Present. “When one examines the evolution of U.S. immigration law over the past century, one is struck by how national security concerns have, rightfully, towered above all others in driving change,” said Ken Oliver, senior...
Press Release December 19, 2019AUSTIN—Today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals declared that Obamacare’s individual mandate is unconstitutional, agreeing with the argument put forth by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “Today’s decision is a victory for the American people and respect for the Constitution,” said Robert Henneke, lead counsel for the individual plaintiffs and general counsel for the Texas...
Press Release December 18, 2019AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the policy perspective Improving Outcomes for Texas Career and Technical Education Students. “As a society, we are taught that college is the only path to success,” said Erin Davis Valdez, policy analyst with the Center for Innovation in Education at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “However, career...
Press Release December 18, 2019AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released an update of the research paper The EPA’s Pretense of Science: Regulating Phantom Risks. The update coincides with a series of EPA meetings to assess the protectiveness of the national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter (PM2.5). “From the beginning, the regulation of PM2.5 has been...
Press Release December 9, 2019AUSTIN— Using the Public Information Act, the Texas Public Policy Foundation secured the release of new information from the Bond Review Board revealing local governments are awash in public debt. According to the agency, local debt totaled $365.3 billion in FY 2019, an increase of almost $11 billion over the prior year. Since FY 2017,...
Press Release December 4, 2019AUSTIN— Today, the Third District Court of Appeals published its opinion declaring the City of Austin’s Short Term Rental Ordinance unconstitutional. “Today’s opinion is a big win for both the constitutionally protected right to assemble and protection of private property rights,” said TPPF’s General Counsel Robert Henneke. “In striking down the Austin ordinance ban on...
Press Release November 27, 2019AUSTIN — The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered project, in partnership with the CO2 Coalition, submitted public comments to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding proposed revisions to federal methane regulations. “Our comments support the president’s initiative to reform costly and unnecessary regulations on the energy producers that power our nation,” said Mike Nasi, director of...
Press Release November 26, 2019AUSTIN—Today, the 225th Judicial District Court granted a temporary injunction preventing the controversial San Antonio mandatory paid sick leave ordinance from taking effect on Dec. 1. “I congratulate the San Antonio business community on their win stopping the unconstitutional San Antonio paid sick leave ordinance from being enforced,” said Robert Henneke, general counsel at the Texas...
Press Release November 22, 2019AUSTIN—Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation commends the announcement by the Trump Administration to return focus on patients by making healthcare more transparent. “Unknown and obscured prices are unique to healthcare and the lack of information limits the ability of the patient and employer to choose the best value for the service they need in...
Press Release November 15, 2019AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the research paper Come and Take It: What Will—and What Will Not—Improve Public Safety in Firearm Violence Prevention. “In the wake of recent shootings, many gun control proponents have demanded that state leadership ‘do something’ in the hopes of preventing future tragedies,” said Derek Cohen, Ph.D., director...
Press Release November 12, 2019