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Religious Liberty

What to Know: Confirmation hearing are taking place in the U.S. Senate in for Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Much of the attention will be on her religious beliefs.

The TPPF Take: There must never be a “religious test” preventing people of faith from serving in high office. It would be unconstitutional.

“I do believe she is a very objective jurist, and there’s no evidence to suggest she isn’t,” says TPPF’s Julie Warren. “Obviously, those opposed to her nomination will use her religious affiliations against her as political gamesmanship; that’s what they do. And I think she’s prepared for that.”

Train Wreck Ahead?

What to Know: Austin elites want voters to approve a 25% city tax increase to fund a rail-heavy transportation plan. But some prominent liberal voices are raising concerns about the impact on the poor and unemployed.

The TPPF Take: Leading liberals worry that a massive permanent tax increase will worsen Austin’s affordability crisis. Most conservatives concur. Voters will soon declare where they stand.

“Remarkably, Austin politicians have done the impossible. They’ve brought together the Left and the Right on a major policy issue,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “Liberals and conservatives alike fear that Austin’s needy can’t afford a double-digit tax increase, especially with the economy in trouble. What will voters say?”

The Answer is No

What to Know: Governor Abbott recently announced that bars and similar establishments were allowed to reopen with a 50 percent indoor capacity and no outdoor limit. But it would be up to each county judge to opt-in to the reopening. Some local officials have already refused. The Dallas County Judge told bar owners last week that his answer is "no."

The TPPF Take: Too many businesses have permanently closed their doors as a result of COVID-19 and the government-mandated shutdown. Local officials must take care not to force even more closures in places where there is no imminent danger.

“Despite the COVID-19 hospitalization rate requirement being 15% or less for bars to reopen and the Dallas County area’s COVID-19 hospitalization rate holding steady around 6%, the county judge is choosing to keep bars closed." says TPPF's Shelby Sterling. "Once again, local governments are proving that we must overhaul emergency authority next session to better protect life, liberty, and property rights.”