AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the paper, Reforming the Use of Child Abuse Pediatric Teams in Child Protective Cases. Andrew Brown, director of the Center for Families and Children, offered the following statement: “Medical professionals with relevant expertise have an important role to play in protecting children from abuse by conducting objective...
Press Release February 12, 2019Austin—Today, the Senate Committee on Property Tax voted Senate Bill 2, the Property Tax Reform and Relief Act of 2019, out of committee to send before the Texas Senate. “Skyrocketing property taxes are hurting families, forcing businesses to close, and causing slower economic growth,” said Ellen Troxclair, former Austin City Councilmember and senior fellow with...
Press Release February 11, 2019AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released the policy perspective, Assigning Property Rights Through Wind and Solar Easements, which examines how Texas can reduce the growing conflict over wind turbine construction and avoid regulating turbine placement in rural Texas. “Tensions are running high between Texas property owners because of the massive growth of wind...
Press Release February 7, 2019AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Ellen Troxclair and Vance Ginn, Ph.D., will provide invited testimony before the Senate Committee on Property Tax. “Skyrocketing property taxes are forcing people out of their homes and businesses, and it is heartbreaking to see the stress and hardship that this has brought to our neighbors and our...
Press Release February 6, 2019AUSTIN—Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released the following statements in response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s State of the State address: Kevin Roberts, executive director: “Throughout Texas, in the cities and the towns, the plains and the piney woods, we share the same concerns—rising property taxes, a school finance system that is failing our kids...
Press Release February 5, 2019Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released the following statement following the HB 2 and SB 2 Property Tax Legislation press conference: “We commend Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, Speaker Bonnen, Chairman Bettencourt, and Chairman Burrows for taking this challenge head-on and addressing the most important issue for Texans,” said Kevin Roberts, Ph.D., executive director...
Press Release January 31, 2019AUSTIN— Several prominent energy leaders and the Life: Powered Project have sent a letter to Bank of the West, which announced it will curtail funding for fossil fuel projects. Co-signed by 35 energy innovators and business people, the letter expresses concerns that BOTW’s policies are counterproductive and destructive. They will restrict access to energy, reverse critical...
Press Release January 29, 2019AUSTIN—Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the policy perspective, Presumption of Custody to the Nonoffending Parent. “Children have an inherent right to be raised by their natural parents and parents have a fundamental liberty interest in the care, custody, and management of their children,” said Charissa Huntzinger, the paper’s author. “Automatically presuming both parents are...
Press Release January 23, 2019AUSTIN— Yesterday, Travis County Commissioners approved the sale of $328 million in Certificates of Obligation—public debt that is not approved by the voters responsible for paying it—for the construction of a new courthouse facility. Three years ago, voters turned down a similar proposal. “Travis County Commissioners are moving forward on a project rejected by the...
Press Release January 16, 2019AUSTIN—Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released the policy perspective, Tax Abatements and the Texas Wind Industry: How Chapters 312 and 313 Are Scarring Rural Texas. The paper raises questions about why Texans are spending billions of dollars to prop up an otherwise unprofitable industry, the main contributions of which are making the electric grid...
Press Release January 10, 2019AUSTIN – Today, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar released the Biennial Revenue Estimate 2020-21 report that provides the 86th Texas Legislature with an estimate of revenues available to be appropriated for the upcoming 2020-21 budget. Given the state’s constitution requires a balanced budget, this report sets the stage for how much legislators have available to spend and...
Press Release January 7, 2019AUSTIN— The Texas Public Policy Foundation is pleased to announce former Austin City Council Member Ellen Troxclair has joined the Foundation’s Center for Local Governance as a senior fellow. “As the lone champion of conservative principles during her tenure on the Austin City Council, Ellen has proven herself a fearless warrior in the battle to...
Press Release January 7, 2019