Power Grab

What to Know: A proposed city of Austin ordinance would extend its COVID regulations to Dec. 31, 2021, impose up to $2,000 fines per violation, per day.

The TPPF Take: This is a serious overreach in the name of public safety.

“The Austin City Council set to vote on Thursday to give unaccountable agencies unlimited power to do whatever they consider ‘reasonably necessary’ in the name of COVID-19,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “It’s an egregious power grab to severely limit the rights of citizens.”

More clearly defining—and limiting—the emergency powers of government is part of TPPF’s Legislative Action Agenda.

To learn more, click here.

Lobbying—Against You

What to Know: The city of Austin is defending the taxpayer funds it spends on lobbyists.

The TPPF Take: Too often, those lobbyists are arguing against the interests of taxpayers.

“Local governments pay high-priced lobbyists to advocate for higher taxes, more spending, and greater regulatory authority,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “It’s wrong to ask taxpayers to fund lobbying activities that go against their interests and it needs to stop.”

A ban on taxpayer funded lobbying is part of TPPF’s Legislative Action Agenda.

To learn more, click here.

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Shutting Down

What to Know: Nearly one-third of New York and New Jersey small businesses closed for good in 2020.

The TPPF Take: These businesses died more because of bad policies than the pandemic.

“The draconian policies to attempt to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic have been devastating for employers and families and haven’t stopped the virus from spreading,” says TPPF’s Vance Ginn. “Instead of more of the same flawed approach, governments should focus on temporarily targeting resources to vulnerable population and areas and let others get on with their lives.”

For more on the economic impact of pandemic policies, click here.