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

But My Lockdowns!

What to Know: Sweden is being praised for its approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, even though it never locked down its economy.

The TPPF Take: We shouldn’t let fear direct our response to COVID-19.

“People were already voluntarily practicing social distancing before governments made it mandatory,” says TPPF’s Vance Ginn. “But the mandated lockdowns meant that many businesses had to close. More than 22 million Americans lost their job through April. We can’t repeat this mistake.”

Need a Lyft?

What to Know: Some California officials are determined to drive ride-hailing companies Lyft and Uber out of the state.

The TPPF Take: California’s goal here is simple—to force the millions of Californians in the gig economy to unionize.

“This would provide hundreds of millions of dollars in dues money that unions can use to further consolidate control over the state, and still have millions left over to establish strongholds in other states like Texas,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore.“History says that in a choice between the NAACP and Silicon Valley versus Big Labor, California’s Democrats will always choose the latter.”
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Job Skills

What to Know: Though unemployment remains artificially high due to the pandemic, some jobs just can’t find qualified workers.

The TPPF Take: Texas can do better at providing students with the job skills and vocational training they need to succeed.

“Now is also the time for lawmakers to consider granting more flexibility to districts in how they spend their CTE allocations,” says TPPF’s Erin Davis Valdez. “We can incentivize schools to collaborate with community organizations and businesses, which are racing to rebuild civil society and local economies.”