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Connecting today’s news with the research & opinion you need.

Free Speech on Campus

What to Know: With a new school year starting soon, we can expect to hear about more clashes over free speech on college campuses.

In Texas, at least, new rules embodied in Senate Bill 18 will help ensure that all views can be heard.

The TPPF Take: Though Texas has new protections, other states still have problems.

“A recent survey found that, by a more than two to one margin, college students ‘largely agree’ that the campus climate today prevents some students from being able truly to speak their minds for fear of offending someone,” says TPPF’s Tom Lindsay. “Administrators should step in to ensure that rights are protected throughout our college campuses.”

Bail Reform

What to Know: Harris County has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit and change the way it sets bail for criminal defendants.

As the Texas Tribune reports, the suit was filed by defendants who sat in jail for days “because they could not afford to pay for their release.”

The TPPF Take: Bail policies should be reformed, with the emphasis put on public safety, not a defendant’s ability to pay

“The use of commercial bail does not have any connection with public safety,” says TPPF’s Marc Levin, who leads the Right on Crime project. “Fortunately, in recent years, risk assessment tools have been developed that have been proven to be better predictors of flight and re-arrest than ability to pay. These tools do not replace judicial discretion, but inform it.”

Achievement

What to Know: In the high school debate world, there’s no more prestigious meet than Harvard’s annual International Tournament. In July, two black youths took the trophy home to Atlanta.

As Black Enterprise reports, “The pair, who had no prior debate experience, bested scholars from 15 different countries in the tournament.”

The TPPF Take: These young men are to be congratulated—and emulated.

“Former NFL tight end Martellus Bennett recently asked why black boys aren’t encouraged to dream of becoming anything other than athletes,” says TPPF’s Bradford Traywick. “Booker T. Washington urged African-Americans to dream bigger—and achieve more. That’s the focus of the Booker T. Washington Initiative at TPPF, and it starts with ensuring every black youth has solid education opportunities.”