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Connecting today’s news with the research & opinion you need.
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Miracles Can Happen—Everywhere

What to know: A New York Times piece claims the Texas Miracle economy has bypassed small towns like Longview.

The TPPF Take: Longview disagrees.

“This isn’t a town in decline; it’s a city on the move, with 3.8 percent unemployment and record-high home sales and home values,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “The Texas Model works — even for rural Texans. In a diverse economy, not all gains will be felt uniformly. But a rising tide does, indeed, lift all boats.”
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Priorities

What to Know: Instead of spending money on a motivational speaker like most districts, Granbury ISD decided to give its teacher $100 in gift cards to buy classroom supplies. The teachers were elated.

The TPPF Take: Cheers to Granbury for thinking outside the box.

“It’s vital that our schools prioritize students over systems,” says TPPF’s Kara Belew. “The money the district spent on supplies, instead of motivational speakers, will absolutely end up in—and benefitting—the classrooms. That’s where our focus should be.”

Sabotage?

What to Know: Republicans are accused again and again of “sabotaging” the Affordable Care Act.

The TPPF Take: This is just political rhetoric; the ACA has failed all by itself.

“The ACA was meant to help people get coverage, but instead, it made health care unaffordable,” says TPPF’s David Balat. “The Trump administration is working to create more options that work for Americans.”