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

Bang for the Buck

What to Know: More and more people are questioning the real value of economic development tax breaks, which are used to lure new businesses to town.

The TPPF Take: There’s little evidence that tax incentives truly result in new jobs; in nearly all cases, the new companies would move to town anyway.

“The best economic development tools are the Texas Model’s lower taxes, less regulation, and fewer frivolous lawsuits,” says TPPF’s Carine Martinez. “Beyond that, the Legislature should enact meaningful reform to our tax abatement rules and empower local governments and the state of Texas to hold beneficiaries of these agreements accountable for the promises they make.”

On The Job Training

What to Know: Some employers are creating on-the-job “boot camps” to help fill our their workforce requirements.

The TPPF Take: This is an innovative way to address a growing shortage of skilled workers.

“Rather than tackling college with its required courses, many young people might be better off by finding an employer in the manufacturing or construction business who is willing to teach the basics on the job,” says TPPF’s Erin Valdez. “In addition to the usual job search websites, local unions, and Apprenticeship.gov are sources of information about where to find entry-level jobs that offer earn-while-you learn experience.”

Sick Leave

What to Know: San Antonio’s mandatory paid sick leave ordinance goes too far, says one legal expert.

The TPPF Take: San Antonio’s paid sick leave mandate is clearly unconstitutional.

“The facts of this case are very simple,” says TPPF’s Rob Henneke, who led the successful fight against a similar ordinance in Austin. “Cities can’t adopt a minimum wage that’s higher than the state minimum wage, and by mandating pay for time not worked, the San Antonio ordinance—and others like it—do just that. Cities have no businesses intervening in the relationship between employers and employees.”