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

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

What to Know: Two Republican Harris County Commissioners stopped a massive tax hike by simply not showing up for the vote.

The TPPF Take: Too many counties, cities and other taxing entities are raising their tax rates before the taxpayer protections of Senate Bill 2 kick in next year.

“This is what it looks like to use the process to put taxpayers first,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “Local governments seem to be grabbing all they can now, not because there are new, unexpected needs, but because their ability to grab won’t be as great in the future, without taxpayer approval. They should trust their taxpayers more."

Sick Leave Mandates

What to Know: A Houston Chronicle columnist says San Antonio’s mandatory paid sick leave ordinance shows the San Antonio City Council simply doesn’t understand how businesses operate.

The TPPF Take: Texas Public Policy Foundation attorneys led the fight against Austin’s ordinance—and won. The San Antonio ordinance is equally unlawful.

“When businesses are forced to provide certain types of benefits, they often have to cut other benefits, or even jobs,” says TPPF’s Rob Henneke. “City government has no business interfering in the employer-employee relationship and mandating what specific benefits they must offer. We will continue to fight these ordinances in court.”

More Than Ever

What to Know: Proven reserves of natural gas in the U.S. have continued to soar, up nearly 85 percent in the last decade—thanks to fracking.

The TPPF Take: The U.S.’s natural gas boom is the result of technological advancements like fracking—and good ol’ American determination.

“For all the talk of a Green New Deal and renewable energy, the world still runs on fossil fuels, and Texas is now a leader in the safe and responsible production of those,” says TPPF’s Brent Bennett. “Our diversified, abundant and reliable energy system has allowed us to invest in technologies that have improved environmental quality and human health.”