TPPF Policy Orientation Panel to Address the Future of Climate Science

There has been a concerted effort to suppress climate science and scientists whose research questions the catastrophic climate scenario. This year, a coordinated effort was launched targeting a so-called “web of denial,” including accusations that free-market think tanks were confusing the pubic on the issue. To examine the intersection of climate science and free speech, The Texas Public Policy’s (TPPF) Fueling Freedom Project will host the panel, “’Web of Denial:’ Is Real Climate Science Still Possible?” at the 15th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 2:00 pm CST at the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol.

Press Release October 4, 2016

TPPF’s the Honorable Kent Grusendorf Testified on School Finance

Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Education Freedom Senior Fellow the Honorable Kent Grusendorf gave invited testimony last week before the Texas House Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Public Education to consider interim charges related to school finance including, but not limited to, school facilities.

Press Release October 4, 2016

TPPF & Mackinac Center Release Paper on Dental Access

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy today released a paper by TPPF Senior Fellow John Davidson and Mackinac Center Director of Research Michael Van Beek discussing how to improve access to dental care. The paper, Dental Therapists: A Proposal to Expand Access to Dental Care in Michigan, examines how creating a new class of midlevel dental providers, called dental therapists or dental hygiene practitioners, could alleviate dentist shortage problems and improve access to routine dental care.

Press Release September 29, 2016

Texas Public Policy Foundation Files Amicus Brief on TABC Overreach Case

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) filed an amicus curiae brief in Cadena Commercial USA Corp. v. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, opposing the overreaching interpretation of the state’s tied house laws, which wrongly denies the plaintiff their right to participate in economic activity.

Press Release September 28, 2016

Texas’ Business Tax Climate Worsens in Latest Report Indicating Need for Tax Reform in the 2017 Legislative Session

Today, the Tax Foundation released the 2017 State Business Tax Climate Index report that scores states based on their corporate income tax, individual income tax, sales tax, unemployment insurance, and property tax and ranks them accordingly. The report notes that although the Texas Legislature helped improve the state’s overall ranking by lowering the business franchise tax last session, the state’s ranking declined “due to a relative decline on property tax rank.” The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Economist Dr. Vance Ginn and Director of the Center for Local Governance James Quintero issued the following statement:

Press Release September 28, 2016

TPPF’s James Quintero to Speak at Property Tax Revenue Town Hall in San Antonio

Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Local Governance Director James Quintero will participate in a town hall meeting on property revenue caps, one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priorities for the 2017 legislative session on Thursday, October 13 at 7:00 pm in San Antonio. The event, Property Tax Revenues: Legislative Limits vs. Local Control, is sponsored by the San Antonio Express-News, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and Spectrum News.

Press Release September 28, 2016

ICYMI: Video of TPPF Briefing on Clean Power Plan Legal Challenge

The Texas Public Policy Foundation yesterday hosted a briefing in advance of today’s oral arguments before the D.C. Circuit Court in State of West Virginia, et al. v. EPA. The briefing previewed the key legal arguments before the en banc panel regarding EPA’s authority to regulate the nation’s power generating industry under the Clean Power Plan (CPP). Issues include constitutional challenges striking at the heart of the CPP, focusing on EPA’s usurpation of state powers to regulate the use of in-state natural resources, and its attempt to rewrite the Clean Air Act to suit its overarching goal of regulating CO2 emissions.

Press Release September 27, 2016

TODAY: TPPF Hosts Briefing on Clean Power Plan Legal Challenge

The Texas Public Policy Foundation will host a briefing on the eve of oral arguments before the D.C. Circuit Court in State of West Virginia, et al. v. EPA. The discussion will preview the key legal arguments to be addressed before the en banc panel regarding EPA’s authority to regulate the nation’s power generating industry under the Clean Power Plan (CPP). Issues include constitutional challenges striking at the heart of the CPP, focusing on EPA’s usurpation of state powers to regulate the use of in-state natural resources, and its attempt to rewrite the Clean Air Act to suit its overarching goal of regulating CO2 emissions.

Press Release September 26, 2016

MONDAY: TPPF Hosts Briefing on Clean Power Plan Legal Challenge

The Texas Public Policy Foundation will host a briefing on the eve of oral arguments before the D.C. Circuit Court in State of West Virginia, et al. v. EPA. The discussion will preview the key legal arguments to be addressed before the en banc panel regarding EPA’s authority to regulate the nation’s power generating industry under the Clean Power Plan (CPP). Issues include constitutional challenges striking at the heart of the CPP, focusing on EPA’s usurpation of state powers to regulate the use of in-state natural resources, and its attempt to rewrite the Clean Air Act to suit its overarching goal of regulating CO2 emissions.

Press Release September 23, 2016

TPPF’s James Quintero Testifies on Local Debt Transparency

Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Local Governance Director James Quintero today gave invited testimony before the House Committee on Elections. Quintero testified on Interim Charge 3, which aims to improve transparency and accountability in the debt issuance process.

Press Release September 23, 2016

TPPF Statement on Gov. Abbott Notice of Intention to Withdraw from Federal Refugee Program

Texas Public Policy Foundation’s General Counsel and Center for the American Future Director The Honorable Robert Henneke and Center for Tenth Amendment Action Director Chip Roy issued the following statement on letter sent yesterday by the State of Texas to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) giving official notice of its intention to withdraw from the federal refugee resettlement program should ORR not unconditionally approve Texas’ state plan by September 30th.   

Press Release September 22, 2016

TPPF’s Dr. Thomas Lindsay Testifies Before U.S. House Committee on the Budget

The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s (TPPF) Center for Higher Education Director Dr. Tom Lindsay testified today on higher education reform at a hearing titled, “Restoring the Trust for Families and Working-Age Americans,” before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget.

Press Release September 21, 2016