The following statement is a response to a call by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Speaker Dennis Bonnen for cities to refuse efforts to “defund the police.” “The Texas Public Policy Foundation unequivocally supports the goal of the ‘Big 3’ to ensure that public safety is adequately funded for all Texans, regardless...
Press Release August 18, 2020AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the paper Property Tax Profile: Travis County. “Property taxes in Travis County have risen sharply in recent years and this surge is obvious in residents’ annual tax bills,” said TPPF’s James Quintero. “From 2015 to 2020, the average homeowners’ tax bill increased 54%. By comparison, Austin’s...
Press Release August 18, 2020Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s experts weighed in on the Austin City Council’s plan to cut its police budget by $150 million. “The city of Austin has gone about this in exactly the wrong way—making a politically driven decision to ‘defund the police’ before carefully studying the department’s resources and needs,” says TPPF’s Randy...
Press Release August 14, 2020Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the paper Budgeting for Fiscal Year 2021 and Beyond. “This year’s budgeting season is unlike any other,” said TPPF’s James Quintero. “Government lockdowns and falling oil prices have given rise to the most challenging fiscal environment seen in modern times. Countless cities, counties, and school districts are currently grappling...
Press Release August 13, 2020AUSTIN—Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation commended President Trump for his “Kids First: Getting America’s Children Safely Back to School” effort, which will provide guidance and resources to ensure that kids can get the in-person learning they need this fall. “If we care about the future of our children—and our nation—we must make sure that...
Press Release August 12, 2020The Texas Public Policy Foundation commends Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency for the updated guidelines which provide clarity to schools on how they can proceed with educating students in the fall. “We are grateful to Governor Abbott and Commissioner Morath for offering more clarity to schools on how they can safely resume learning...
Press Release July 29, 2020Kevin Roberts, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, issued this statement today in response to Texas State Senator José Menéndez’s demand that the Foundation fire Chief Economist Vance Ginn, Ph.D.: “Our answer is no. “Senator Menéndez’s demand is a well-worn tactic of the progressive left: deliberately misconstrue events, and theatrically demand the...
Press Release July 29, 2020Today, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued guidance on school reopenings during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is completely correct in his legal guidance that local health authorities lack power to issue a blanket closure of all schools,” said TPPF’s General Counsel Robert Henneke. “Unless applied to individual campuses based upon specific facts,...
Press Release July 28, 2020The Wayne County Circuit Court in Michigan on Friday held that the Township of Canton’s tree ordinance is an unconstitutional taking and seizure of private property and dismissed Canton’s claims against the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s clients, Matt and Gary Percy. “The court rightly recognized that it is the Percys, not the government, that own...
Press Release July 20, 2020Today, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar revised the Certification Revenue Estimate (CRE) to project a fiscal 2021 ending shortfall of $4.58 billion which Hegar attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent volatility in oil prices. “Today’s update by Texas Comptroller Hegar on the budget shortfall shows the importance of reining in government spending without raising taxes...
Press Release July 20, 2020The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauds the historic efforts of the Trump Administration to put in place innovative regulatory reforms that will have lasting effects throughout the economy. Today, the administration announced updates to the National Environmental Policy Act to remove ineffective and burdensome regulations that destroy jobs, raise costs for Americans, and create unnecessary...
Press Release July 16, 2020Today, Rafael Bejar, Director of Outreach for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, released the following statement on President Trump’s executive order expanding school choice opportunities for Hispanic students. “Latinos compose nearly 40 percent of Texans and are a vital, vibrant part of the Texas economy,” said Bejar. “The President’s order will help to ensure that their education,...
Press Release July 9, 2020