Telling the Truth about Texas State Budgets
From TPPF, Arlene Wohlgemuth and Talmadge Heflin, Jun 9th 2014 – Most Texans suspect their state government spends too much. They’re right. However, they typically lack information to confirm this belief because of a complex budget process and budget gimmicks that mask actual levels of spending. Ordinary Texans who pay the taxes deserve a transparent and comprehensible state budget. Unfortunately, they don’t get it from the opaque and difficult-to-grasp processes currently in place.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) gives Texans and taxpayers an easy-to-understand analysis with our recent report “The Real Texas Budget.” It isn’t what some legislators want Texans to know — and that’s exactly why we should know it.
TPPF President Brooke Rollins will guest-host Monday’s nationally syndicated “The Mike Gallagher Show”
First time in 13 years someone outside the broadcast industry has helmed the show.
Brooke Rollins
AUSTIN – Texas Public Policy Foundation President Brooke Rollins will make history on Monday, June 4, as she hosts the nationally syndicated broadcast of “The Mike Gallagher Show.” Part of the Salem Radio Network, “The Mike Gallagher Show” is the fastest-growing radio-talk program in the country, reaching roughly 3.5 million listeners each week on 165 station affiliates nationwide, including cable stations.
The show format features political commentary and compelling talk topics, including social issues and lifestyle discussions.
Improve Education, Don’t Just Improve its Funding
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 Last week, the Wall Street Journal detailed a poll conducted by Education Next on whether the country should be spending more on public education. The Journal states that when asked whether education spending should increase, 65% of respondents say yes. However, that percentage drops significantly – by about half – when those polled were asked whether their own taxes should be increased to fund that increase. Continue reading → |
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Statement on use of the Economic Stabilization Fund in the FY 2011 state budget
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“We are disappointed to learn that Texas will likely resort to using its rainy day fund this early in the legislative session. Legislators in both the House and Senate should heed Speaker Straus’ commitment to continue looking for budget savings that will reduce any draw on the rainy day fund.
Texas Public Policy Foundation outlines alternative to failed Medicaid program
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http://www.texaspolicy.com/press_releases_single.php?report_id=3543
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kristen Indriago
February 22, 2011 (512) 472-2700
Texas Public Policy Foundation outlines alternative to failed Medicaid program
State could provide better health care to more people with control over policies and funding
AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation unveiled a proposal that would replace the federal Medicaid program with a state-driven TexHealth program, dramatically transforming the way medical care and services are provided to low-income individuals.
“The federal Medicaid program is structurally designed to make states spend money in ineffective ways,” said TPPF Executive Director Arlene Wohlgemuth. “However, Texas now has the opportunity to reform our state’s Medicaid program so that it better meets the needs of both the individuals it serves and the taxpayers who support it.” Continue reading →
Medicaid to consume 50% of Texas state budget within next 30 years
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 Arlene Wohlgemuth AUSTIN – Texas’ Medicaid program is in a state of financial crisis, according to long-term caseload and cost models published today by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “Even before the U.S. Congress substantially expanded Medicaid as part of ObamaCare, the Medicaid program was financially unsustainable,” said Arlene Wohlgemuth, Director of TPPF’s Center for Health Care Policy. “These new projections make clear that Medicaid will bankrupt Texas – and every other state – unless major structural changes are made.” The Foundation commissioned Cato Institute Senior Fellow Dr. Jagadeesh Gokhale to develop 30-year caseload and cost projections for Texas’ Medicaid program so that Texas policymakers could understand the extent of Texas’ crisis. Dr. Gokhale’s findings, “Final Notice: Medicaid Crisis,” are available on the Foundation’s website, www.TexasPolicy.com. Continue reading → |
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Conservatives Join to Think Outside the Cell
Texas Public Policy Foundation Launches Right on Crime
Right on Crime campaign launches with endorsements from conservative leaders, including Newt Gingrich, Edwin Meese III, and Grover Norquist
Washington, D.C. – Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese III, and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist are among more than 20 national conservative leaders who have signed of a new conservative statement of principles on criminal justice reform.
The statement of principles was unveiled today as part of the debut of Right on Crime, an initiative spearheaded by the Texas Public Policy Foundation to reform criminal justice policy based on long-standing conservative principles such as accountability, limited government, and fiscal responsibility. Continue reading →
Texas voters want more bang for the buck in higher education
New public opinion poll provides valuable guidance to lawmakers on budget solutions
AUSTIN – A public opinion survey commissioned by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and released today found that Texas voters think our state’s public colleges and universities can reduce their operating costs while improving on how they teach students.
Eighty percent of Texas voters think Texas colleges and universities can be run more efficiently, with 50 percent strongly believing so. Only 5 percent of voters think it is not possible.
Seventy-one percent of voters—44 percent strongly—believe that Texas colleges and universities can improve teaching while reducing operating costs, while a mere 13 percent disagreed.
“Texas voters want more value and higher quality teaching for the tax dollars they pay to support higher education,” said Justin Keener, TPPF vice president of policy and communications. “The results give lawmakers and university officials clear marching orders for how Texans want them to address budget shortfalls and rising tuition costs: put our students first and cut higher education overhead.” Continue reading →
Parker County Blog 