AUSTIN – Federal and state agencies play increasingly ubiquitous and decisive roles in American’s lives. To examine how increasing administrative power, in particular the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), impacts Texas and Federalism, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment will host the panel “The Fourth Branch: EPA and the Administrative State” at the 14th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 11:00 am CST at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Salon J.
“How can we restrain the growing power of federal and state agencies? Government agencies increasingly operate as if they were a fourth branch of government but unaccountable to the three constitutional branches,” said the Honorable Kathleen Hartnett White, distinguished senior-fellow-in-residence and director of the Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “EPA’s Clean Power Plan to re-engineer our nation’s entire system of electric power is a prime example of rogue regulation in defiance of basic constitutional principle. A panel of experts will discuss policy alternatives to check the growing reach of regulatory agencies.”
Panelists include:
- Representative Phil King, Texas House of Representatives
- John R. Hays, Jr., Partner, Hays & Owens L.L.P. and Adjunct Professor of Energy Law, University of Texas School of Law
- Dudley McCalla, Counsel, Jackson Walker L.L.P.
- The Honorable Kathleen Hartnett White, Distinguished Senior Fellow-in-Residence & Director, Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment, Texas Public Policy Foundation (Moderator)
For over thirteen years, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Policy Orientation has been one of the nation’s top policy conferences, selling out each year while bringing together lawmakers, policy experts, and engaged citizens from across the political spectrum to discuss critical issues facing the Lone Star State and America. This year’s program includes more than 35 panel discussions and debates on the major issues affecting Texas’ future.
Members of the public and media who wish to attend may register and view the agenda at: www.PolicyOrientation.com
Keynote and plenary sessions will be livestreamed at: txpo.li/TPPFlive
The Honorable Kathleen Hartnett White is a Distinguished Senior Fellow-in-Residence & Director, Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment at Texas Public Policy Foundation.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin, Texas.