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

Can’t Blame ‘Em

What to Know: A new poll shows that more than half of all Californians have thought about leaving their home state. That’s especially true of young people and conservatives.

The TPPF Take: As it loses population, California is also losing its tax base, and possibly electoral clout.

“While the main focus of the poll was Californians’ frustration with high housing costs—much of which is due to the state’s overbearing regulations—the poll’s other big takeaway was how much ideological dominance by the left is driving conservative dissatisfaction within the state, and driving out conservative taxpayers,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “Their most common destination? Texas, of course.”

But I Thought We Liked Trees

What to Know: As politicians and climate activists gather in New York for Climate Week, some European countries are under fire for claiming that biomass—burning trees shipped in from the U.S.—is a carbon-neutral practice.

The TPPF Take: Just because this energy is renewable, in that vegetation can be regrown, does not mean it is safe for the environment or humans.

“According to the World Health Organization, around 4 million people per year die prematurely due to household biomass use, which releases toxic airborne pollutants in closed quarters and exacerbates COPD and lung cancer,” says TPPF’s Katie Tahuahua. “In addition, biomass emits 150% of the CO2 emitted by coal and 300% of the CO2 emitted by natural gas. And yet, despite these health and environmental concerns, biomass is booming in countries now fixated on radical environmental policies.”

Tourism Boondoggle

What to Know: VisitDallas, the city’s troubled tourism agency, is pushing for less oversight over its operations by the city (exercised through appointments to the VisitDallas board).

The TPPF Take: Decreasing transparency and oversight for public spending is a terrible idea.

“Hotel occupancy taxes are often seen as ‘free’ money because the revenues come from visitors,” says TPPF’s Carine Martinez. “But dollars that visitors spend on taxes are dollars they’re not spending at local restaurants and shops. Oversight and transparency is essential in ensuring these funds are spent in a responsible way, and that officials are held accountable.”