National: Choices, Choices 🍎

President Trump announced the Kids First: Getting America's Children Safely Back to School effort focused on getting kids the in-person learning opportunities they need. This important effort will empower parents to make the best decision on how their children should be educated this fall. 🎒🖥️

Emily Sass, TPPF's Policy Director of Next Generation Texas, stated, “Reopening plans can—and should—prioritize family and community safety, practice common sense, and still make room for parents to decide which educational setting they’re most comfortable with. Parents are in the best position to decide what’s safe for their children, and what makes the most sense for their family circumstances."

State: At What Cost? 📉

The economic shutdown has dealt a heavy blow to the Texas economy - nearly 1.3 million Texans lost their job at the height of the shutdown. The effects weren't just immediate either - 16% of Texans stated that they were facing financial ruin and 22% said they would need a year or more to recover.

That's why the decision on whether or not to shut down the state again shouldn't be done behind closed doors and without crucial data and information. The lives and livelihoods of Texans depend on it.

Local: (Taxpayers Are) Always on My Mind 🎵

Many municipalities throughout the state of Texas are considering raising property taxes above the 3.5% tax cap expressly stated in Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) using a "loophole." It's not all bad news, though. The City of Pflugerville voted unanimously to stay within this property cap, avoiding an outrageous increase in taxes when Texans can least afford it. 👏

Just before this vote, TPPF Executive Director Kevin Roberts and Chief Economist Vance Ginn joined Senator Paul Bettencourt and Representative Dustin Burrows for a livestream to discuss putting an end to municipalities attempting to undermine SB 2. Check it out below! 👇