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

‘Root Cause’ Lunacy

What to Know: U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says the spike in violent crime in New York City (including 28 shootings last weekend) might be due to parents who “need to shoplift some bread.”

The TPPF Take: This is a throwback to the long-ago discredited theory that poverty is the “root cause” of crime.

“After years of declining crime rates, New York City saw homicides soar by 21 percent in the first half of the year,” says TPPF’s Derek Cohen. “People in poverty are not inherently violent, but people in violent communities are far more likely to live in poverty. ‘Defunding the police’ will only lead to worse outcomes in these communities.”
CANNON BANNER (18)-1

Sour, Not Sweet

What to Know: Last week, the Sugar Land city council passed a resolution calling on the Fort Bend tax assessor-collector to calculate the city’s voter-approval tax rate at 8% instead of the new 3.5% threshold required by Senate Bill 2. This means a massive tax increase might be on the way.

The TPPF Take: It’s preposterous that any local government is considering an 8% tax increase right now. It’s even more outrageous that some local officials want to go around voters to make it happen.

“Now is not the time for massive tax increases. Especially when voters are excluded from the process,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “Cities and counties that max out a tax increase in the fall should face stiff penalties next session.”

Back to School

What to Know: Writing in USA Today, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) says that children must go back to school—for their own (and their parents’) well-being.

The TPPF Take: Schools should reopen on time in the fall.

"Parents need to be able to decide how to send their students to school in the fall,” says TPPF’s Erin Valdez. “The American Academy of Pediatrics says schools are fundamental to child development and provide a wide array of benefits. Many families have indicated they want virtual classes this fall, but for many others, that’s impossible. If online classes won’t work for a family, we must give them an alternative that will."