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

A Real Revolution

 

What to Know: The COVID-19 pandemic has made telemedicine more important. Deregulation has made it more accessible.

 

The TPPF Take: Expanding telemedicine will help keep Americans healthy.

 

“Telemedicine offers a convenient and safe alternative to traveling long distances to see a doctor,” says TPPF’s David Balat. “Congress and the states should permanently eliminate regulations waived during the coronavirus outbreak that increased telemedicine access and lower costs.”

Going Up

 

What to Know: The city of Austin is planning a big tax increase later this month, and a bond election in November for an even larger one.

 

The TPPF Take: Now isn’t the time to raise taxes.

 

“Austinites should be prepared to place pressure on local officials to reduce government spending,” says TPPF’s Maggie Selner. “And the opportunity to do so is fast approaching. On Aug. 12, the full budget and tax rate will be up for a vote and on Nov. 3, voters will have to decide if they want their city to adopt a higher tax rate to fund the first phase of Project Connect.”

Diminished Lives

 

What to Know: Some environmentalists are celebrating lower carbon emissions, even as they acknowledge that the lockdowns that caused the change have been economically ruinous.

 

The TPPF Take: We shouldn’t celebrate the economic pain being suffered by millions.

 

“While lower emissions might sound like good news, it’s anything but,” says TPPF’s Jason Isaac. “The lockdowns have caused financial devastation for countless families. Human well-being is essential to responsible care for the environment — not the other way around. The best long-term solution for our environment is to promote freedom and economic growth.”