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

What to Know: Look out—California is looking for ways to tax non-residents and former residents, as more and more people flee the state.

The TPPF Take: Aggressive tax policies (along with regulatory burdens and cost of living) are precisely why so many Californians leave the Golden State.

“In 2011, along with my family, I was one of about 562,000 people who moved out of California,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore, a former California Assemblyman. “We came to Texas for opportunity borne of greater freedom: lower taxes, greater private property rights and less government to tell you what to do.”

Forced Annexation

What to Know: The city of Huntsville has forcibly annexed enough land to increase the size of the city by 30 percent—against the will of the people living in the annexed areas.

The TPPF Take: Texas has a new law requiring cities to get the approval of voters in areas they wish to annex—but that new law doesn’t go into effect until next year.

“Some cities are still at it, using a legal loophole to forcibly annex people and their property,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “This bad behavior should remind lawmakers that further reforms are needed still, especially in the area of disannexation."

Defending Liberty

What to Know: A Texas teachers union says that Proposition 4 on the Nov. 5 ballot, which would make it harder for the state to implement a state income tax, could someday force schools to close and teachers to lose their jobs.

The TPPF Take: Amending our state’s constitution is crucial to defending our liberties.

“Ballot language can be confusing, and special interest groups often put their own spin on things,” says TPPF’s Kevin Roberts. “That is why it is imperative to educate ourselves on the different ballot propositions to ensure we are standing up for the liberties that make Texas, Texas. TPPF has provided an in-depth informational guide to the constitutional election and highlighted the pros and cons of all ten amendments including proposition 4, which we testified in favor of during the 86th legislative session.”