The Latest
Austin Tells Robbery Victims to Call Non-Emergency Number Instead of 911
“Even if you are cautious & follow all the safety advice, you may still become the unfortunate victim of a robbery,” said the Austin Police Department.
Liberty County Republican Party Censures House Speaker Dade Phelan
The resolution asserts Phelan has violated many Republican priorities and principles.
Texas Home School Coalition Reports High Withdrawal Rates from Government Schools
The organization estimates 8-10 percent of Texas children are homeschooled.
North Texas School Implements New COVID Testing Requirements
Garland ISD announced that if a student or faculty member shows symptoms of COVID-19, they must be tested and report the results to the school.
The Archive
Stupidity Isn’t Bravery
Oppose New Taxes! Well, that didn't take long. The new chairman of the House Public Education Committee, a close ally of moderate Speaker Joe Straus, said today he wants to raise Texans' taxes. He called it "bravery." Texans call it something else. One has to wonder...
‘Brewing’ More Liberty
Texas is known as a state with low regulations and free markets. You wouldn’t know it from the perspective of local breweries and brewpubs in the state. The brewing industry has some of the most senseless regulations in the state designed solely to squelch competition...
Save Texas Students
Education in Texas is at a crossroads. Now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to make systemic reforms that will impact students for decades to come. Before joining Empower Texans, I worked for two years as a public school teacher in Houston ISD, where I saw...
Austin Sets Date on Bike Share Boondoggle Launch
Remember that bike-share program pedaled by the Austin City Council in 2011? It’s set for launch later this year. Two years ago, reports surfaced about the Austin City Council’s willingness to shell out $1.8 million on a “bike-share” program. Austin Bike Program...
Missouri City to Impose “Crash Tax”
Be extra careful when you drive through the Houston suburb of Missouri City! Starting in March, those drivers at fault in car crashes will be charged as much as $2000, to pay for first responders. This fee is being imposed by the Missouri City Fire Department....
Playing On Your Dime
It’s a harmless tradition, Texas lawmakers taking off a few hours to play football. Yes, they do it during the work-day and on your dime. Still, think of it this way: that’s one day they won’t be raiding the rainy day fund, sneaking into your pocket, or regulating...
Justice Department Sides with German Homeschooling Policy
This is some jaw-dropping news: In a political asylum case involving a German family that fled to the United States to be able to homeschool their children, the U.S. Justice Department is arguing that the freedom to choose to educate one’s own children is not a...
Birdwell, Hughes Seek Greater Taxpayer Protection
Two of the state’s Taxpayer Champions are proposing greater protections against tax hikes at the state level. Senator Brian Birdwell and Rep. Bryan Hughes have both proposed amending the state constitution to require a two-thirds majority for the legislature to...
Chartering Better Education
For all the talk about education reform, one of the best options can be found in the state's unsung academic heroes: the charter schools. Correctly utilized, they provide meaningful opportunities for driving improvement by increasing the options available to parents,...