Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute

Paid Summer Internship: Help TCCRI Define Conservative State Policies

Intern with TCCRI this summer by applying through the Koch Summer Fellow Program, sponsored by the Institute for Humane Studies. Gain state policy experience and further the cause of liberty in a ten-week session including: a paid eight-week internship, two public policy seminars, and professional career training. Find out more and apply by January 31 at www.TheIHS.org/TCCRIintern.
Op-Ed: Give Austinites an Electricity Choice (January 19, 2012)

In this opinion-editorial published by the Austin American-Statesman, John Colyandro & Tom Aldred make that case that "the government should not be in the power business. It is time to give all electric customers a choice."
TCCRI Praises Senate Sunset Advisory Commission Appointments (January 9, 2012)

Following the announcement of Senate Sunset Advisory Commission appointments, TCCRI praised Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's decision to place proven conservative leaders on the Commission. With the recent appointments, three out of five Senators who serve on the Sunset Advisory Commission are Directors of TCCRI, and a fourth is a TCCRI Task Force co-chairman.
TCCRI Announces 2011-2012 Task Forces & Task Force Co-Chairmen (November 21, 2011)

TCCRI is pleased to announce seven Task Forces for the 2011-2012 interim. These seven Task Forces will work to develop conservative public policy recommendations to be pursued by the 83rd Texas Legislature.
- 2011-2012 Task Force Co-Chairmen
To mend America, the Constitution needs a Balanced Budget Amendment (August 19, 2011)

In this opinion-editorial, State Senator Florence Shapiro & State Representative Brandon Creighton argue: "As the debate over federal debt and spending continues, it is abundantly clear that America needs a permanent, long-term solution to break the cycle of debt that plagues our nation. A federal balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution is an immediate priority to take our nation off of our current fast-track to fiscal ruin."
Gov. Perry Signs Landmark "Loser Pays" Lawsuit Reform (July 27, 2011)

On Tuesday, July 27, conservative state legislators who championed and helped pass the "loser pays" lawsuit reform bill, House Bill 274, applauded Governor Rick Perry for pressing for the critical civil justice lawsuit reform measure that will continue Texas' strong economic performance by limiting frivolous and abusive lawsuits.
Press Release: Balanced, no-new-taxes budget a major achievement (July 26, 2011)

As Governor Rick Perry signs the state budget in Amarillo on Tuesday, July 26, conservative state legislators offered their gratitude to Governor Perry for his leadership in helping balance the budget without raising taxes, which was a signature achievement of the 82nd Legislature.
TCCRI Requests Investigation of Houston National Cemetery (July 18, 2011)

Public-sector Directors of TCCRI have written to Secretary Eric K. Shinseki of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to request that he investigate allegations that the Director of the Houston National Cemetery may be engaging in an unconstitutional curtailment of religious liberty and freedom of expression.
Op-Ed by Rep. Hancock: Tough but Responsible on School Funding (June 29, 2011)

On Wednesday, June 29, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram published an opinion-editorial by State Rep. Kelly Hancock, a TCCRI Board Member. The piece argues that "Texas can be proud that our state budget and legislation have prioritized schoolchildren. It is the right budget in these tough times."
Texas House Honors Rep. Warren Chisum, TCCRI President (March 30, 2011)

The Texas House of Representatives passed a resolution on Monday, March 30, 2011 to honor State Representative Warren Chisum (TCCRI President & Co-Founder) for his distinguished career in public service, and for his life-long commitment to conservative principles.
Tapping Rainy Day Fund to Balance the Current Biennium Budget (March 31, 2011)

In this press release, three TCCRI Board Members who serve on the House Appropriations Committee argue for a limited, one-time withdrawal from the Economic Stabilization Fund to balance the current biennium budget (2010-2011). Retaining a sizable balance in the ESF remains critical for next session, when the state will face skyrocketing Medicaid costs.
Tapping the Rainy Day Fund & School Fund Balances (March 28, 2011)

While it is demonstrably appropriate to spend some amount of the ESF to help balance the current biennium (2010-11) budget, legislators should only appropriate $3.2 billion from the fund. It is critical to appropriate the smallest possible amount from the ESF because the Fund plays a critical role underpinning the long-term fiscal health of the state.
Interstate compact could help state cut health costs (March 17, 2011)

In this opinion-editorial, published by the Houston Chronicle, Senators Jane Nelson and Dan Patrick (both TCCRI Board members) and Representative Lois Kolkhorst make the case for an interstate health care compact.
Media Report Highlights TCCRI Education Research (March 16, 2011)

KETK of Tyler has published a story on TCCRI's research on education spending, which was published in our State Budget Task Force report, Blueprint for a Balanced Budget. The KETK story centers on our report's finding that public schools statewide have a one-to-one ratio of teachers to non-teachers.
Lawmakers File Legislation to allow Texas to Chart its Own Path for Health Care Policy (March 8, 2011)

With the State of Texas facing skyrocketing costs under the Medicaid program, and with Texas prohibited from making any meaningful reforms or reductions to our Medicaid and CHIP programs, conservative state lawmakers have filed legislation to allow Texas to chart its own path for health care policies and programs. To enter Texas into an interstate health care compact, State Representative Lois Kolkhorst filed House Bill 5, and Senators Jane Nelson and Joan Huffman (both TCCRI Board Members) filed Senate Bill 25.
'Loser pays" next step for successful lawsuit reform in Texas (March 6, 2011)

In this opinion-editorial, seven conservative state legislators argue that lawsuit reform has proven successful for Texas and should be advanced by instituting a "loser pays" requirement.
Funding Public Education Fairly (February 16, 2011)

The final report of the TCCRI School Finance & Property Tax Task Force, chaired by State Senator Dan Patrick & State Representative Phil King, recommends a long-term shift away from school district "maintenance & operations" property taxes, as well as immediate tax relief measures.
Health Care Reform: Charting a State Path (February 9, 2011)

The final report of the TCCRI Health & Human Services Task Force, chaired by State Senator Jane Nelson and State Representative John Davis, analyzes the impact of federal health care reform on Texas health and human services programs, and makes a range of recommends for better outcomes, lower costs, and greater efficiency.
Letting the Market Work (February 9, 2011)

The final report of the TCCRI Insurance Task Force makes a range of recommendations to better allow for a free market for insurance products in Texas. The report also consider the impact of federal health care reform on the Texas insurance market.
Generating Growth (February 2, 2011)

The final report of the TCCRI Energy & Environment Task Force, which is co-chaired by State Senator Troy Fraser and State Representative Kelly Hancock, recommends pushing back against the EPA and environmental alarmism, and extending the competitive market for retail electricity to Austin and San Antonio.
Maintaining Texas' Competitive Advantage (January 25, 2011)

The joint report of the TCCRI Economic & Workforce Development Task Force, co-chaired by State Senator Craig Estes and State Representative Tan Parker; and the TCCRI Transportation Task Force, co-chaired by State Senator Mike Jackson and State Representative Linda Harper-Brown.
Blueprint for a Balanced Budget (January 18, 2011)

The final report of the TCCRI State Budget Task Force, co-chaired by State Senator Tommy Williams and State Representative Warren Chisum, provides a range of budget proposals to illustrate that the 2012-13 general revenue budget can and must be balanced without raising taxes.
The 2011 TCCRI Black Tie & Boots Gala – Austin, Texas (February 7, 2011)

On Monday, February 7, 2011 TCCRI will host its Black Tie and Boots Gala at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin, Texas. Our theme for the evening is “A Salute to Conservative Leadership” and our program will recognize our conservative statewide elected officials’ contributions to Texas’ record of success. Please join TCCRI as we pay tribute to the statewide elected officials in whose honor we are hosting the Gala celebration. Click the link above for more information or to register for the event online.
Rossanna Salazar joins Clements Program as Private Sector Chairman (November 19, 2010)

As the Clements Legislative Study Program prepares to host its class of Clements Scholars for the 82nd Session, the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI) is pleased to announce that Rossanna Salazar will serve as the Private Sector Chairman of the program. Please visit ClementsScholars.org for more information on the program.
Mr. Jim Epperson, Jr. Inducted as Charter Member of the TCCRI LIFT Leadership Council (August 5, 2010)

On August 5, 2010, at the TCCRI Fifth Annual Legislative Conference Dinner in San Diego, Mr. Jim Epperson, Jr. of AT&T was inducted as a Charter Member of the TCCRI LIFT Leadership Council for his support of the guiding LIFT Principles that underpin TCCRI. The LIFT Leadership Council recognizes the strongest supporters of TCCRI who enable our success in the public policy arena.

“Mere unthinking negative opposition to the current of events, clutching in despair at what we still retain, will not suffice in this age. A conservatism of instinct must be reinforced by a conservatism of thought and imagination.”

— Russell Kirk