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

Virus Worries

What to Know: Austin’s South by Southwest music, tech and culture festival has been cancelled over fears about the coronavirus.

The TPPF Take: Economic worries about Austin over the cancellation are probably overblown.

“Serious economists have known for years that highly hyped urban amenities such as sports stadiums don’t really add to the local economy, because, ‘Most spending inside a stadium is a substitute for other local recreational spending, such as movies and restaurants,’” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “So, SXSW or not, the Austin economy will do just fine.”

A Better Response

What to Know: Parental substance abuse is a factor in 68 percent of Texas CPS cases, a report shows.

The TPPF Take: There are systemic barriers to seeking treatment, such as criminal punishment, custody loss, stigma, and child care. Seeking treatment is difficult.

“Mothers and pregnant women, in particular, face significant barriers to substance abuse treatment, not the least of which is the very real possibility of losing custody of their children while seeking sobriety,” says TPPF’s Charissa Huntzinger. “The child welfare system’s current punitive approach to parental substance use is outdated and, ironically, puts more children and families at risk.”

Sanctuary for Lawlessness

What to Know: Sanctuary city policies make it harder to arrest criminal illegal immigrants, and put law enforcement officers at risk.

The TPPF Take: Sanctuary policies lead to more violent crime.

“People from all over the globe flee countries with widespread corruption, impunity and violence to come to America because we are a nation of laws,” says TPPF’s Igor Magalhaes. “By not enforcing our laws, the United States fails to be the beacon of hope and justice to the world and becomes precisely what others are fleeing from.”