AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation released today The Cautionary Tale of Wind Energy in ERCOT by the Honorable Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice University’s Energy and Environment Initiative. The paper examines the results of Texas’ 20-year experiment with wind energy generation and finds it offers a real-life, cautionary tale on the effects of relying...
Press Release August 14, 2018This legislative support highlights the problems Austin’s mandatory paid sick leave ordinance will cause if it is not stopped. We are thankful for the support of these legislators in pushing back against this government overreach that will hurt both Austin businesses and those employed by them.
Press Release August 13, 2018We commend the Governor for urging Texas lawmakers to move to a risk-based system in which pretrial release decisions are based on public safety. This will ensure that defendants who pose a danger to law enforcement and others stay in jail.
Press Release August 7, 2018Today’s state-level jobs report shows that Texas continues to be America’s jobs creation engine. Given the benefits of Texas’ model of limited government and recent Trump tax cuts, the Texas economy continues to expand at a robust pace. By holding spending in check and providing tax relief so it stays in the pockets of Texans, Texas will continue to be the place for abundant prosperity.
Press Release July 20, 2018AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a sponsor for the conservative policy gathering, Resurgent Conference, to be held in Austin on August 3-5. Founder of The Resurgent website, Erick Erickson, will host conservative voices at the first-of-its-kind event. WHAT: Inaugural Resurgent Gathering WHEN: August 3-5, 2018 WHERE: The Capitol Sheraton at 701...
Press Release July 19, 2018AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released the paper “The Texas Wind Power Story: Part 2 – The Impacts of Texas Wind Power Siting,” which examines the effect of subsidized wind farms on nearby inhabitants and the environment. “Wind farms affect residents, the environment, and anyone using the land and airspace between turbines,”...
Press Release July 13, 2018Students like Donald don’t check their constitutional rights at the gates to a public university simply because they are athletically gifted. We are encouraged that today’s decision affirms that the First Amendment trumps any private rules that UCF may have, and that the university will change its policies accordingly to respect all constitutionally protected free speech.
Press Release July 10, 2018The Texas Attorney General’s office is correct in notifying the city of San Antonio that any paid sick leave ballot initiative violates Texas law. Through the Texas Minimum Wage Act, the Texas Legislature has already preempted the authority of cities like San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas from adopting this type of ordinance.
Press Release July 10, 2018Austin is in the throes of a government-induced affordability crisis and city council seems determined to make things worse. Trying to solve Austin’s affordability problem by going further into debt is the absolute wrong approach. That’s especially true given that the city’s debt already totals $9.8 billion and adding another $925 million in new debt will only push taxes higher for most Austin homeowners and businesses.
Press Release June 29, 2018Most families come to the attention of state child welfare authorities because of neglect, not abuse. Neglect includes lack of food, clothing, shelter or medical care – conditions related more to poverty than parental fitness. The state should only get involved when the decisions of parents make great harm likely. This standard protects kids from truly negligent parents while giving parents and kids a chance to thrive.
Press Release June 28, 2018This is a victory not only for Orchard Hill specifically but also for those who believe in limiting the ominous and bloated powers of federal government. The unanimous decision of the Seventh Circuit panel in our favor is a refusal to let the Corp of Engineers regulate beyond what it can demonstrate as an actual interest.
Press Release June 28, 2018The Janus decision is about free speech and the First Amendment. No American should be forced by their government to participate in speech opposed to their beliefs. The U.S. Supreme Court decision protects government workers' free speech rights.
Press Release June 27, 2018