“Super utilizers” are people
The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute reject any language that refers to people by the costs or level of their service needs.
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Texas can’t afford school vouchers
Public funds for school districts could certainly be used more efficiently, but spending money more efficiently is different from spending less money. If we want Texas to have a prosperous future, ESAs are not the way to go.
Texas can’t improve special education without data
There’s no state mandate to collect group academic data for kids who don’t take standardized tests. Data is a double-edged sword: the same data that shows areas for improvement also illuminates failures. There are legal remedies for failure; parents can take the district through “due process” and ultimately to court to insure their child’s access to an appropriate education is preserved.
Education savings accounts: A flexible alternative for Texas schools
Texas can lead the nation by taking the next logical step and establishing parent-managed accounts for all types of K-12 services. Education funding should go first to parents, and then to providers and schools — not the other way around.
Texas franchised dealer system good for Texas and Texans
The franchised dealer system successfully promotes competition, protects consumers and benefits communities throughout Texas.
It’s time to deliver on the promise of electricity deregulation
It’s clear that deregulation hasn’t fulfilled its potential. Yet, Texas’s independent streak and history of bold innovation in energy means you can never count it out. The state is also uniquely positioned to benefit from a combination of advanced consumer technology and widespread access to rich smart meter data in Texas.
Severe mental illness and the death penalty
Assessing capital punishment in these unique and infrequent cases disregards the growing scientific consensus that severe mental illness can significantly impair one’s ability to make rational decisions, understand the consequences of one’s actions and control one’s impulses. It sweeps aside our collective responsibility to provide adequate care options for persons with mental health disabilities.
Insurance-driven “fail first” policy hurts patients, undermines doctors
Our elected leaders should ensure that doctors, not insurance companies, remain in charge when it comes to prescribing medicines for Texas Medicaid patients.
Stop SB 6 — the kids are watching
SB 6 isn’t just a threat to the Texas economy, it’s also a serious threat to the safety of transgender youth and adults who already face high levels of bullying, discrimination and even violence.
On the edge of crisis: Why Texas needs hailstorm claims reform
We face another serious crisis in homeowners’ insurance, this time with hail and wind coverage that is critical to all Texans as the new target of abuse. Already we see the leading indicators of a negative change.
Texas pre-K is critical to the state’s success and future
Families, the business community, academic researchers and policymakers all especially understand the importance of Pre-K for low-income children. For them, it is most often the very difference between academic success and failure.
UTA keeps exceeding its own expectations
UTA’s growing student population can be attributed to our tremendously talented and dedicated faculty, enhanced outreach efforts and strong academic advising, which are attracting more high-achieving student to pursue their dreams at UTA.
Access and Coverage Should Remain the Nation’s Health Care Goals
In a time of uncertainty for health care in the United States, let’s take a moment to list the fundamental areas on which we should be able to agree.
A man named Luis Cantu and the argument for asset forfeiture
The current system of civil asset forfeiture in Texas is an effective and efficient tool for law enforcement and a benefit to the communities we serve. I encourage anyone curious about the state’s forfeiture laws to speak with their local law enforcement officers and prosecutors to find out for themselves how the process really works.
Changing the conversation around abortion
As Texas-based abortion funds that work directly with people most impacted by abortion restrictions (the majority of whom are low-income women of color who are already parenting), we know that the fight for reproductive rights and justice is about more than the right to choose an abortion — it's about real access and affordability when that right is already established.
Texas, don't make the mistake North Carolina made
As a member of the North Carolina General Assembly who has watched the HB2 trainwreck up close for the last year, here’s some advice to my Texas counterparts: When it comes to state-sanctioned discrimination, let North Carolina remain the Lone Star State — for now.
Keep the promise on Transportation Funding
Now during this tough budget year it is not clear whether the 85th Legislature will keep the promise to put all the money toward highways.
Texas and Medicaid: How big can you dream?
If Texas controlled its own Medicaid program and received a no-strings federal block grant, we could change everything: radical administrative simplification, eligibility standards, verification processes, insurance packages, “work requirements” and reimbursement schedules.
Legislative action for young parents in foster care?
These mothers were struggling parents in the beginning — but their stories also reveal messages of resilient and accomplished parenting. We need to understand more about the struggles and successes of parents who have experienced foster care, to identify these youth and offer them the care they need and deserve.