TPPF Celebrates Passage of Grants for Special Needs Students  

The Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Texas Federation for Children celebrate the passage of SB1716, a powerful move by the House Public Education Committee that will provide additional educational support for special needs students. By lengthening and increasing the Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) program, families of special needs children will now have access to $1,500 grants to purchase needed education services. The bill can now...

Press Release May 19, 2021

TPPF: RSC Budget is a Responsible Path Forward

The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Chief Economist Vance Gain released the following statement regarding the Republican Study Committee’s 2022 Budget: “Decades of irresponsible federal spending in D.C. has contributed to diminished prosperity for families and entrepreneurs through costly redistribution, higher taxes, and more debt. The Republican Study Committee led by Chairman Jim Banks and Budget...

Press Release May 19, 2021

TPPF Priority Bill Curtailing City Natural Gas Bans Now Law

Governor Abbott has signed House Bill 17 into law, prohibiting cities from banning natural gas utilities. “Urban municipalities have attempted to overstep their bounds by creating California-style bans on natural gas utilities. These arbitrary constraints on Texans’ freedom will have no effect on our environment or climate change but will raise the cost of living,...

Press Release May 19, 2021

TPPF Applauds Governor’s Prohibition of Mask Mandates

The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauds Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent decision to block governmental entities from enacting and sustaining mask mandates. “Ending the mask mandates sends a strong signal that Texas is ready to return to life before the pandemic,” said Kevin Roberts, TPPF’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our communities have made tremendous sacrifices that will...

Press Release May 18, 2021

TPPF: Social Cost of Carbon Calculations Are Inaccurate And Useless

The Texas Public Policy Foundation filed an amicus brief supporting the Missouri state coalition’s preliminary injunction motion seeking to enjoin the Biden social cost of carbon rule. Research compiled by TPPF experts Dr. Vance Ginn, Dr. Brent Bennett, and Dr. EJ Antoni demonstrates that “the models that are used to quantify the social cost of...

Press Release May 18, 2021

Reform to Keep Families Together Set to Become Law

A major set of reforms that will change the culture of Texas child welfare practice has successfully made it off the Governor’s desk and will become law later this fall. Starting September 1, HB 567 will take effect and usher in a new approach to keeping at-risk families together, reducing the harm caused to children...

Press Release May 17, 2021

TPPF: ‘Lawyer Loophole’ Guts Bill to Protect Taxpayers

The Texas Public Policy Foundation released the following statement on SB 10: “Senate Bill 10, as approved by the House Committee on State Affairs, creates a massive loophole that makes many of its good government measures irrelevant. As drafted, it allows lawyers working with local governments to avoid registering as a lobbyist, which will allow...

Press Release May 17, 2021

TPPF, AFL File First Joint Suit to Protect Equal Rights

The Texas Public Policy Foundation and America First Legal have partnered to file suit against the Biden Administration to invalidate a portion of the America Rescue Plan Act that includes racial and gender discrimination. This is the first time TPPF and AFL have joined forces to bring a case against the administration. “We are honored...

Press Release May 14, 2021

TPPF Applauds Passage of HB 569

AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauds the Texas Senate passage of HB 569, strong legislation that will assist in helping former prisoners establish themselves in the community after release. Also known as the “Bonton Farms Bill” after the inspirational urban farm and market established by Daron Babcock in south Dallas, this legislation helps reduce in–court costs and fines so that individuals reentering society have better opportunities for self-sufficiency. The bill passed the Texas House...

Press Release May 13, 2021

TPPF Celebrates National Police Week

The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s senior researcher Randy Petersen, who spent twenty-one years in law enforcement, released the following statement in support of National Police Week: “As we enter Police Week 2021 we remember the valiant service that the men and women of law enforcement provide their communities, sometimes at the expense of their own...

Press Release May 10, 2021

TPPF, Every Texan Joint Statement Opposing Unjustified Business Tax Breaks

The Texas Public Policy Foundation and Every Texan release a joint statement regarding legislation to extend the Chapter 313 program of school property tax abatements. These tax breaks do not deliver the promised benefits, shift school funding costs, and waste tax dollars. Statement from the Texas Public Policy Foundation Life:Powered Director Jason Isaac and Every...

Press Release May 7, 2021

House Passes Health Care Reforms to Create Low-Cost Options for the Uninsured

The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauded the Texas House for passing bipartisan legislation to open new options for those who are struggling to afford or don’t have health insurance. A decade after the passage of Obamacare, 63 percent of Texans say the cost of health insurance and prescription medications are the most frustrating part of...

Press Release May 5, 2021