Special Legislative Action Agenda Edition!

What to Know: We are weeks away from the 87^th Legislative Session (it begins Jan. 12, 2021). The Texas Public Policy Foundation is ready with its Legislative Action Agenda.

Here are some highlights 👇

Pass a Conservative Texas Budget.

“The state budget should not exceed the ability of Texans’ ability to pay for it,” says TPPF’s Vance Ginn. “By setting a maximum growth limit of no more than population plus inflation, we can keep budget growth in check and look for additional savings to craft a budget accountable to taxpayers.”

Give parents greater control of their child’s education.

“Parents should be in the driver’s seat when it comes to their children’s education—especially in the middle of district uncertainly and economic upheaval,” says TPPF’s Emily Sass. “They need to know what their options are and how to access them. Families should be able to choose between in-person and virtual school. Texas should codify waivers that enable parents to access these new options. And lawmakers should expand new options, including new charter schools.”

Empower the Texas Secretary of State to conduct all vote-by-mail operations.

“We can improve Texas’ vote-by-mail system by conducting all operations within the Office of the Secretary of State,” says TPPF’s Quico Canseco. “Reforms include all counting and storage of ballots and applications for ballot by mail, and strengthening qualifications, such as implementing a defined  disability-verification process.”