According to the Heritage Foundation, each of the health care bills moving through Congress expands Medicaid by making the government-run program available to all adults with incomes at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty line (PVL). The change would dramatically multiply eligible recipients: 33 states would see increases of at least 30%, including 10 posting jumps of 50% or more.

Despite the strength of its flagship universities, Texas currently lags behind other large states when it comes to top-quality higher education institutions that can serve the needs of the nation's fastest-growing state.  In the latest TCC commentary, John Colyandro and Tom Aldred argue that Proposition 4 on the November 3 constitutional amendment ballot will provide the funding opportunities that Texas needs to develop more tier one universities. 

The White House disclosed the other day that the fiscal 2009 budget deficit clocked in at $1.4 trillion, amid the usual promises to do something about it. Yet even as budget director Peter Orszag was speaking, House Democrats were moving on a dozen spending bills for fiscal 2010 that total 12.1% in more domestic discretionary increases. 

Proponents of the government run healthcare reform agenda are attacking health insurance companies' antitrust exemption and contend that the exemption has contributed to higher health insurance costs, premiums and profits.  Scott Harrington's opinion-editorial explains that contrary to liberal rhetoric, repealing the insurance industry's antitrust exemption won't reduce prices or profits.

On November 3, Texans will vote on eleven proposed constitutional amendments.  In this analysis, TCC evaluates the pros and cons of each proposition.

On November 3, Texans will have the opportunity to reform the state's property tax appraisal system by protecting homeowners from unreasonable valuations and by creating a fairer and more efficient process for taxpayers.  A Fort Worth Star-Telegram Editorial did not believe these measures were logical or necessary.  In response to the Star-Telegram, John Colyandro and Tom Aldred explain propositions 2, 3 and 5, and why they are necessary protections for Texas property owners.

State lawmakers will soon face large budget deficits again, perhaps as much as $100 billion across the U.S. Here's some free budget-balancing advice: Steer clear of the Michigan model. The Wolverine state is once again set to run out of money, and it is once again poised to raise taxes even as jobs and businesses disappear.

None of the new distortions that the Senate health-care bill will layer onto the already-distorted tax code have received the attention they deserve, but in particular its effects on marginal tax rates could use scrutiny. Incredibly, for those with lower incomes, ObamaCare will impose a penalty as high as 34% on . . . work.

Remember when health-care reform was supposed to make life better for the middle class? That dream began to unravel this past summer when Congress proposed a bill that failed to include any competition-based reforms that would actually bend the curve of health-care costs. It fell apart completely when Democrats began papering over the gaping holes their plan would rip in the federal budget.

Fifty-nine state legislators have urged the Texas Congressional delegation to oppose the massively-expensive cap and trade proposal of the Obama Administration.