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

The Need for Reform

 

What to Know: Louisiana’s state supreme court has upheld the life sentence of a man convicted of trying to steal a pair of hedge clippers.

 

The TPPF Take: Habitual offender laws hurt offenders—and taxpayers.

 

“Habitual offender enhancements might have a place in sentencing policy, but prosecutors must wield this hammer responsibly,” says TPPF’s Scott Peyton. “The means such an enhancement must ultimately serve the ends of justice, fairness, and fiscal responsibility.”
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We Warned You

 

What to Know: California’s electric grid operator warned state officials about the limits of wind and solar power in recent years, as the state has mandated both. Now Californians are suffering rolling blackouts.

 

The TPPF Take: Don’t blame the power companies. Blame the politicians who make the rules.

 

“Politicians are scrambling to assign blame to Pacific Gas & Electric, a heavily regulated utility that can only do what the politically appointed regulators say it can do,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “In recent years this has meant building a bunch of solar and wind projects, while decommissioning reliable sources of power and scrimping on power line maintenance and upgrades.”

Taxing Our Patience

 

What to Know: It’s not just the COVID-19 pandemic putting pressure on homeowners and businesses in Austin and Travis County. It’s also skyrocketing taxes.

 

The TPPF Take: Taxpayers in Austin and Travis County—and elsewhere—need some relief.

 

“Property taxes in Travis County have risen sharply in recent years and this surge is obvious in residents’ annual tax bills,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “From 2015 to 2020, the average homeowners’ tax bill increased 54%. By comparison, Austin’s population grew only 11% over the same period. Struggling taxpayers need area governments to take aggressive action to ease the burden.”