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

Making Government Work

What to Know: TPPF and state Rep. Tan Parker have published a brand-new edition of “Making Government Work,” a collection of essays from top leaders and thinkers. According to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the book “is for state government what the Contract with America was for the federal government… It is a sensible, fact-based plan to create a better future through the application of sound principles.”

The TPPF Take: “Making Government Work” comes at a crucial time for conservatism.

“Our hope is that a new generation of leaders at the state level will see that conservatism is something to be pursued at all levels of government,” says TPPF’s Kevin Roberts. “Progress for America doesn’t have to wait for Washington.”

It’s Getting Better

What to Know: Unemployment is improving, and it’s improving at a far faster pace than it did following the Great Recession of 2008.

The TPPF Take: The best way to get Americans working and thriving again is for government to fully reopen the economy.

“Texas’s economy took a major blow in March from COVID-19 as it reduced Texans’ activity across the state,” says TPPF’s Vance Ginn. “Then lockdowns by state and local governments in response to the novel coronavirus further exacerbated the economic fallout. We must safely reopen society by ending state and local government-mandated lockdowns and focus on targeting resources to populations most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19.”

Solitary

What to Know: Louisiana relies too much on solitary confinement in its prisons, a study finds.

The TPPF Take: Louisiana has an extensive history of relying on solitary confinement as a punitive measure.

“Studies have shown that persons subjected to extended periods of solitary confinement experience mental and physical health issues,” says TPPF’s Scott Peyton. “In addition to the human cost of solitary, there are substantial financial costs associated with its use. Louisiana should make statutory changes to ensure it doesn’t overuse solitary confinement.”