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

In It for the Long Haul

What to Know: Local public finance won’t return to normal any time soon. Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price affirmed as much recently: “This is a long-term stretch for cities. We are going to see property tax off probably for the next three to four years, as we deal with vacancies from our large businesses who are leaving people at home."

The TPPF Take: Cities, counties, and school districts cannot carry on with business as usual. We must move our institutions in a bold, new direction that is both principled and practical.

“Today’s topsy-turvy world requires local governments to embrace smaller budgets and spending cuts. The old tax-and-spend approach won’t work any longer,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “To help right-size government, local officials should take advantage of tools like zero-based budgeting, third-party efficiency audits, and competitive contracting.”

It’s Not Working

What to Know: The Toronto Sun, one of Canada’s largest newspapers, says the country “can't afford more green energy failures.”

The TPPF Take: Green New Deals—whether implemented in Canada or the U.S.—are both expensive and ineffective. Canada should look to the U.S. for energy leadership.

“The United States has cut more total carbon dioxide emissions than any other nation and is a world leader in reducing harmful pollution,” points out TPPF’s Jason Isaac. “From 2008 to 2018, our energy-related emissions fell by 9% when the rest of the world increased their emissions by 17%. While other nations feign moral superiority by fighting a so-called crisis, the United States is leading the world through its actions.”

Medicaid Expansion

What to Know: Expanding Medicaid in Texas is becoming a hot issue in a number of state House campaigns.

The TPPF Take: Medicaid expansion is the wrong prescription for Texas.

“Instead of expanding Medicaid’s reach, let’s broaden its scope,” says TPPF’s David Balat. “Let’s revamp Medicaid to make it serve those it covers now more effectively, allowing innovation and new approaches. We can still ensure that the net is there even for those with pre-existing conditions by establishing guaranteed coverage pools. In other words, let’s give Americans more choices—not fewer.”