David Beasley News
SB 2627, priority grid legislation, passes Texas House
By David Beasley | May 24, 2023
The Texas House of Representatives gave final approval May 23 to Senate Bill 2627, which deals with improving energy- grid reliability across the state of Texas. The issue of the grid was named a priority by both Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick for this legislative session.
Texas Public Policy Foundation campaign director: Education Savings Accounts are 'about the freedom for every single parent'
By David Beasley | Apr 15, 2023
According to the Texas GOP website, school choice is a Republican legislative priority this session.
Policy analyst: 'Nothing less than $20 billion' for historic property tax cut
By David Beasley | Apr 4, 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott has made it clear he wants to sign into law the “largest property tax cut in Texas history,” but exactly how much that is remains an open question.
Sailer: Texas public universities are 'most obvious example' of red state schools with 'rapid, all-consuming growth of DEI'
By David Beasley | Nov 28, 2022
John Sailer, a fellow at the National Association of Scholars, posted a thread on Twitter explaining how the state of Texas is a perfect example of a Republican-run “red state” whose universities are filled with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) bureaucracies that alter the purpose of higher education.
Texas A&M faculty supports DEI program: 'These are small steps, but more is needed'
By David Beasley | Oct 26, 2022
The Texas A&M University Faculty Senate recently voted to support a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program called ACES.
Austin City Council candidate Webman: 'I would not have voted to remove $150 million from the police department'
By David Beasley | Oct 17, 2022
District 5 Austin City Council candidate Aaron Webman said that if he had been a member of the city council in 2020, he would not have voted to remove $150 million from the Austin Police Department and cancel three cadet classes.
Austin native Makenna Perkal cast in new slasher thriller: 'I'm just really excited'
By David Beasley | Sep 6, 2022
Austin native and Los Angeles actor Makenna Perkal has been cast in a new slasher thriller called "Spread: Pigs to Slaughter."
Huffines: 'The path to eliminating the crushing burden of property taxes is less government spending and eliminating school property taxes'
By David Beasley | Sep 2, 2022
It's time to end the “crushing burden of property taxes” in Texas, former Texas state senator and GOP gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines recently told the Austin Journal.
Peacock: 'Years of Texas' leaders subsidizing less reliable, intermittent wind and solar generation have come at a cost to Texas consumers'
By David Beasley | Sep 2, 2022
The Texas electric grid is not as reliable as it should be given its available generation capacity, said Bill Peacock, policy director of Energy Alliance.
BlackRock blacklisted: Texas comptroller lists companies engaged in 'doublespeak,' 'boycott of energy companies'
By David Beasley | Aug 25, 2022
In response to legislation passed last year, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar has announced his office's list of financial companies that boycott the oil and gas industry.
Attorney on Vineyard Wind Project: 'The federal government ignored multiple legal protections for affected stakeholders'
By David Beasley | Aug 23, 2022
The federal government ignored legal protections for stakeholders threatened by the Vineyard Wind Project, which requires a 75,000-acre area used by the fishing industry, according to Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Energy Alliance policy director: 'All Texas has to do is let the market work'
By David Beasley | Jul 21, 2022
Bill Peacock, policy director of the Energy Alliance, is criticizing the recent restructuring of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
Evidence mounts that lithium producers for EVs plan to explore 'in a Chinese region tied to slave labor'
By David Beasley | Jul 21, 2022
In a July 18 tweet, Brian Gitt called attention to the link between lithium batteries for electric vehicles and Chinese slave labor.
New Hope Animal Rescue to hold adoption event: 'A pivotal time for homeless pets'
By David Beasley | Jul 13, 2022
This week is National Adoption Week, so Austin-based New Hope Animal Rescue is partnering with Bastrop County Animal Shelter and PetSmart Charities to host an in-person adoption event Friday through Sunday.
Texas Public Policy Foundation policy director: 'The Public Utility Commission must implement a strong statewide reliability standard'
By David Beasley | Jun 2, 2022
With the national media highlighting the possibility of rolling electrical blackouts this summer, Brent Bennett, a policy director with the Texas Public Policy Foundation said an over-reliance on renewable energy is the cause of the instability.
Abbott on court ruling: 'We remain vigilant in fighting the lifting of Title 42 expulsions'
By David Beasley | May 23, 2022
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott praised a federal judge's decision Friday blocking the suspension of Title 42 expulsions on the Mexican border.
Texas Public Policy Foundation on governor's support for property tax proposal: 'This is encouraging news that could signal big-time tax relief'
By David Beasley | May 12, 2022
James Quintero, policy director with the Texas Public Policy Foundation cheered Gov. Greg Abbott's support of using part of the state budget surplus to reduce property taxes.
Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO: 'An estimated 80% of women and girls are sexually assaulted and abused en route to the United States'
By David Beasley | May 9, 2022
As the number of migrants crossing into the U.S. from Mexico increases significantly, the number of documented human rights issues have also increased, the Texas Public Policy Foundation said in a May 6 newsletter.
New Cedar Park bond issue on the ballot May 7, 'but right now your 2022 tax bill is zero,' tax group says
By David Beasley | May 3, 2022
Voters in a dozen Texas cities will decide on a combined $2.3 billion in new debt May 7, Texas Scorecard reported.
George P. Bush: Texas must 'assert our sovereignty and immediately declare an invasion of our state'
By David Beasley | May 2, 2022
George P. Bush, Texas Land Commissioner and a candidate for Texas Attorney General, wants to declare the flood of migrants over the Mexican border an invasion.