Proposed Rules for High Quality Pre-K Released
After hearing testimony from stakeholders on December 1, 2015, the Texas Education Agency has released the Commissioner’s proposed rules on what should be included in the criteria to qualify for the High Quality Pre-K Grant Program (HB 4). Under the proposed rules, a high quality program is defined in terms of curriculum, teacher training, and […]
The Case for a Flat-Dollar Exemption
In the 2015 session, legislators considered a promising proposed constitutional amendment to give cities, counties, and other local taxing units the option of lowering property taxes through a flat-dollar homestead exemption. The measure passed the Senate and the House Ways & Means Committee with significant support, but failed to come up for a full House […]
Meanwhile…back at the Capitol
The word “interim” comes from the Latin word for “meanwhile.” Many of us are looking ahead to the winter holidays, but meanwhile the gears are turning as lawmakers prepare for the 2017 legislative session. The interim charges that Senate and House committees will discuss in the coming months offer a preview of the policy debates […]
Pre-K Benefits are in the Details
If a mechanic told you she could make your car perform better, you would probably want more details before she started rearranging wires under your hood. Well, after the Texas Legislature passed the High-Quality Prekindergarten Grant Program (HB 4) this spring, many of us applauded the law as a good first step. Now it’s details […]
Texas Education Scorecard Grades County-level Education Success
This week CPPP released a new data tool, the Texas Education Scorecard, which compares counties on the policies and practices that affect school readiness, education funding, and transitions to college. The results are literally all over the map. All Texas kids should have a chance to succeed, but the capacity of Texas schools to prepare […]
Celebrating a New Wage in Dallas
The Dallas City Council provided strong leadership and vision this week by voting to pay a minimum wage of $10.37 to all contract workers employed with city funds. The Dallas Poverty Task Force also deserves credit for identifying the need to raise wages for contract workers and championing the issue. Mayor Mike Rawlings created the […]
Texas Cuts Access to Women’s Health Care- Again
Kicking Planned Parenthood out of the Texas Women’s Health Program proved to be a terrible idea in 2013, one that jeopardized the health of women and babies, reduced access to health care, and increased costs for the state. In Texas we’re usually good about learning from our mistakes, but not so much where women’s health […]
Know Before You Vote: Props 1 and 7
Early voting begins October 19 for the upcoming statewide elections, where Texans will vote on seven proposed constitutional amendments. CPPP encourages all Texans to learn about the implications of these proposed amendments for the future prosperity of our state. CPPP has a new breakdown of the impacts of Proposition 1, which would increase the homestead exemption […]
My Favorite Day of the Year
The CPPP Legacy Luncheon is one of my favorite days of the year because it’s a room filled with hundreds of smart people who share CPPP’s vision for Texas. It’s hard work pounding the marble floors under the pink Capitol dome all legislative session promoting policies that will make Texas the best state for hard-working […]
Former Drug Offenders Gain Access to Food Assistance
As of September 1, Texans with a felony drug conviction in their past are now potentially eligible to receive food assistance benefits thanks to the passage of SB 200 during the 84th Legislature. The new law ends Texas’ old policy of permanently disqualifying anyone with a felony drug conviction that occurred after August 22, 1996 […]
