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

Missing School

What to Know: Texas schools are struggling to provide the services that students need.

The TPPF Take: It’s time to renew our focus on students, not systems.

“You can’t just put a child’s development on hold,” says TPPF’s Emily Sass. “Even as local districts struggle, the federal government can help in two ways. It can free up money it already spends to follow students—let’s let parents choose the education options that best fit their children’s needs. And second, we can ensure that new federal money allocated for education gets to the families who need it."

Gun Control

What to Know: Gun control advocates had hoped for sweeping action from the Texas Legislature. They say they’ve been disappointed.

The TPPF Take: Lawmakers should move slowly and carefully when it comes to the Second Amendment.

“Many Texas gun control proponents have demanded that state leadership ‘do something’ in the hopes of preventing future tragedies,” says TPPF’s Derek Cohen. “But many of the proposals that have been floated recently would directly infringe on the right to bear arms and self-defense as explicitly enumerated in the United States Constitution.”

Failing to Find Cuts

What to Know: Dallas mayor Eric Johnson wants to cut executive city salaries, which will make millions available for tax cuts and core functions. But an informal straw vote yielded no support among his city council colleagues. That may not be the end of it though as the mayor “intends to move forward with a formal vote on his amendments.”

The TPPF Take: City salaries are bloated. For example, one employee makes $406,850 per year—more than the President of the United States. Cuts are long overdue.

“Texans are enduring the worst financial crisis in a generation, yet some city workers are getting rich off public service. That’s just wrong,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “The Dallas city council has a responsibility to its taxpayers to make things right. The mayor is right to lead on this issue.”