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Dueling Plan-jos

What to Know: A recent study published by the James Madison Institute says that the Biden-Harris economic plan would contribute to substantially less economic growth and fewer jobs created over time than the Trump-Pence economic plan.

The TPPF Take: Americans need more opportunity to prosper through a flourishing private sector.

“Many claimed during the Obama administration that slow growth and declining opportunities were to be the ‘new normal’ for the U.S. economy,” says TPPF’s Vance Ginn. “Yet in just three short years under President Trump, those claims were proven wrong. In place of the economic malaise under Obama, came a new institutional framework supporting increased freedom and a genuine chance for all Americans to prosper. Returning to bigger government policy with the Biden-Harris plan would be devastating for Americans at a time when many are struggling due to COVID-19 and lockdowns by state and local governments.”

Yes, They Did

What to Know: The city of Houston used a loophole it says is in state law to raise taxes above the 3.5 percent limit set by the Legislature.

The TPPF Take: This is a terrible time to raise taxes.

“The Houston City Council voted to raise taxes today despite the Bayou City’s 9.6% unemployment rate and continued business closures. The poor and elderly will be hurt the most from the city’s aggressive tax hike,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “The Texas Legislature should not forget the city of Houston’s actions today. There is much work to do to protect taxpayers in the next legislative session, especially with respect to strengthening the 3.5% limit.”

Prohibition Continues

What to Know: According to the Travis County judge, COVID-19 threat levels are still too high to allow bars to reopen, though the actual numbers indicate otherwise.

The TPPF Take: Too many businesses are having to shut their doors permanently. Local officials should be relying on the data and not force even more closures where no immediate threat exists.

“Travis County is keeping bars closed despite the fact that the COVID-19 hospitalization rate is running below 3% in the Austin area for the last seven days and has remained below 15% for the last 90 days straight,” says TPPF’s Shelby Sterling. “Yet again, local officials continue to prove that we need to make changes to emergency authority next session to ensure the protection of all Texans’ rights.”