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Chairman Smitherman to President Obama: Suspend EPA Region VI Admin
In a letter to President Barack Obama, Chairman Barry Smitherman of the Texas Railroad Commission (TCCRI Board Member) has asked that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region VI Administrator Al Armendariz be suspended and investigated for statements he made in 2010 which have recently come to …
Read MoreIlya Shapiro: In opposing Obamacare, we were serious the whole time
In this opinion-editorial, Ilya Shapiro (senior fellow in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute) asks: ” Is it not valid to ask where federal power ends, as it must under the Constitution’s grant of enumerated and therefore limited powers?”
Read MoreSXSW: Let’s Give outsourcing a Fair Hearing
Earlier this week, SXSW took on the issue of Texas’ outsourcing of parts of its health and human services eligibility procedures in 2005. A panel discussion hosted on Monday addressed “the human cost of failed government technology.” For a festival that showcases many of the newest …
Read MoreDrug Testing Welfare Recipients Considered in Texas
It is a violation of a fundamental principle of the welfare system for recipients of taxpayer-funded cash assistance benefits to be purchasing and using controlled substances while they are relying on the financial support of their fellow Texans.
Read MoreManaged Care: Delivering Medicaid Services Efficiently
Wholesale reform of the Medicaid program is needed at the federal level if the program is ever to become sustainable. At the state level, however, managed care is a highly-effective model that reduces costs and improves patient outcomes.
Read MoreTCCRI Joins PPACA Amici Brief to U.S. Supreme Court
AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI) has joined with the Cato Institute, fifteen other policy organizations, and a bipartisan group of 333 legislators from 17 states in filing an amici curiae brief with the United States Supreme Court in support of …
Read MoreOp-Ed: Give Austinites an Electricity Choice
At an Austin City Council meeting last Thursday, Austin Energy customers protested proposed electric rate hikes by the utility. Faced with a proposed 12 percent across-the-board increase that will affect the 400,000 residences, businesses, and other customers served by the utility, dozens of customers spoke …
Read MoreTCCRI Praises Senate Sunset Advisory Commission Appointments
AUSTIN – Following the Friday, January 6 announcement of Senate Sunset Advisory Commission appointments, the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute’s (TCCRI) Executive Director John Colyandro praised Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst and his decision to place proven conservative leaders on the Commission.
Read MoreTCCRI Announces 2011-2012 Task Forces & Task Force Co-Chairmen
AUSTIN, TX – Although the start of the next session of the Texas Legislature is more than a year away, the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI) today unveiled its interim Task Forces, as well as the state legislators who will lead the Task Forces as they engage …
Read MoreTo mend America, the Constitution needs a Balanced Budget Amendment
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 …
Read MoreGov. Perry Signs Landmark “Loser Pays” Lawsuit Reform
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 …
Read MorePress Release: Balanced, no-new-taxes budget a major achievement
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.
Read MoreTCCRI Requests Investigation of Houston National Cemetery
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 …
Read MoreOp-Ed by Rep. Hancock: Tough but Responsible on School Funding
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 …
Read MoreTapping Rainy Day Fund to Balance the Current Biennium Budget
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, …
Read MoreTexas House Honors Rep. Warren Chisum, TCCRI President
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.
Read MoreTapping the Rainy Day Fund & School Fund Balances
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 …
Read MoreInterstate compact could help state cut health costs
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.
Read MoreMedia Report Highlights TCCRI Education Research
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 …
Read MoreLawmakers File Legislation to allow Texas to Chart its Own Path for Health Care Policy
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 …
Read More‘Loser pays” next step for successful lawsuit reform in Texas
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.
Read MoreFunding Public Education Fairly
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.
Read MoreLetting the Market Work
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.
Read MoreHealth Care Reform: Charting a State Path
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 …
Read MoreThe 2011 TCCRI Black Tie & Boots Gala – Austin, Texas
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 …
Read MoreGenerating Growth
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 …
Read MoreMaintaining Texas’ Competitive Advantage
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.
Read MoreBlueprint for a Balanced Budget
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.
Read MoreRossanna Salazar joins Clements Program as Private Sector Chairman
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 …
Read MoreMr. Jim Epperson, Jr. Inducted as Charter Member of the TCCRI LIFT Leadership Council
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 …
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- Houston Energy Summit
May 24, 2012 - Fort Worth Energy Summit
June, 2012 - 7th Annual Legislative Conference Dinner
July 26, 2012
