AUSTIN – Today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released state-level labor market data for November 2018. The report shows Texas employers in the government and private sectors created 14,000 net nonfarm jobs and just the private sector created 12,000 of those jobs last month. This brings the net number of total jobs created in the...
Press Release December 21, 2018AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Commission on Public School Finance adopted its final report that includes recommendations to the Texas Legislature. The report has ideas for property tax reform, repurposing existing taxpayer funding to improve student outcomes, and incenting school leaders to adopt practices that will improve student results. “Higher state or local taxes aren’t needed to improve student outcomes across...
Press Release December 19, 2018AUSTIN—Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the paper, Regulation of the Alcohol Beverage Industry: A Sunset Report on the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. “TABC and the Alcoholic Beverage Code rely on outdated, Prohibition-era regulations that create inconsistent treatment between tiers and give one tier— the middle tier—tremendous power over the other two,” said Policy Analyst...
Press Release December 19, 2018AUSTIN—Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the policy paper “On the Militarization of Our Police” authored by Randy Petersen, senior researcher at TPPF and former law enforcement officer. “The militarization of our police officers carries with it the risk of the accompanying philosophy of militarism, that being a preference for the use of force above...
Press Release December 18, 2018Washington, DC — Today, the U.S. Senate passed the First Step Act by a vote of 87 to 12. The bill is the most comprehensive criminal justice reform package of the last three decades. The First Step Act provides reentry programming to help reduce recidivism, includes modest sentencing reforms, increases public safety and gives those...
Press Release December 18, 2018AUSTIN— Late today, a U.S. District Judge ruled in the lawsuit led by the Texas Public Policy Foundation that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. “Today’s historic win striking down Obamacare is only the first step,” said Robert Henneke, general counsel and director of the Center for the American Future at the Texas Public Policy Foundation....
Press Release December 14, 2018AUSTIN—The Texas Public Policy Foundation today announced the closing keynote address of the 17th Annual Policy Orientation will feature both Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz. “We are honored to have both of Texas’ senators join us at Policy Orientation once again,” said Kevin Roberts, executive director of TPPF. “It is only fitting these...
Press Release December 13, 2018Washington, DC — As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vows to bring the FIRST STEP Act to the Senate Floor for a long-awaited vote in the coming days, Right on Crime Signatories, conservative leaders, and grassroots activists will gather to show their support for the bill at a press conference with Sen. Mike Lee, Thursday, Dec....
Press Release December 13, 2018AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation published the paper, “Chapter 312 and 313 Property Tax Abatements Help Wealthy and Connected Businesses and Taxpayers at Other Texans’ Expense.” Local property tax abatements are often viewed as a positive part of the modern economic development process. This new paper from the Foundation examines the negative aspects...
Press Release December 13, 2018AUSTIN—Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation responded to the release of a new draft report from the Texas Commission on Public School Finance. The draft report repurposes existing school finance dollars to provide incentive for school districts to improve student outcomes. “Repurposing existing tax dollars to incent school districts to improve student outcomes is a...
Press Release December 11, 2018AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Pension Integrity Project at Reason Foundation released the report “Pension Solvency Overview: Teacher Retirement System of Texas.” “At nearly six times the size of the next largest public pension plan in the Lone Star State, the TRS plan holds substantial influence on the fiscal health...
Press Release December 11, 2018AUSTIN—The Texas Public Policy Foundation is pleased to announce Rep. Jason Isaac will be joining the Foundation as senior manager and distinguished fellow of the Foundation’s Life: Powered initiative. “With a deep understanding of energy issues coupled with first-hand knowledge of the Legislature, Jason will continue to be an effective advocate for policies that ensure...
Press Release December 11, 2018