Of Note

Register Now: Hobby Policy Conference Join CPPP and national experts from across the country in Austin on September 18-19 to talk about the policy changes necessary to create economic opportunity and prosperity for all Texans. To register, click here.
> more What Does It Really Take to Get By in Texas? It’s been well documented that the federal poverty level doesn’t accurately measure today’s cost of living. But what does it really take to get by in Texas?
> more A Guide Through the Matrix of HHSC Contracting CPPP has created a contracting matrix that describes major HHSC contracting opportunities related to the delivery of health and human services.
> more Proof of Citizenship for Medicaid: Tell Us Your Stories! Please let us know if you or someone you are helping has had Medicaid delayed or denied because of Medicaid's new proof of citizenship requirement.
> more Problems Enrolling in Public Benefits? If you or someone you are helping is having problems enrolling for benefits through Texas' new eligibility system, please let us know.
> more Promoting Prosperity for Texas: The Role of State and Local Governments This ten-minute video by Executive Director Scott McCown is designed for you to use to teach others about the funding challenges facing Texas. There's no waiting--the video begins instantly.
> more

LATEST WORK

Texas Poverty 101

August 26, 2008
The term "poverty" is used to describe a condition of economic hardship, but it has a technical definition as well: a specific low-income level for various family sizes. Many social services in Texas use this technical measure of poverty to determine program eligibility. This brief report describes the official federal poverty measure, how it is used, and the extent of poverty in Texas. Shortcomings of this methodology and alternative measures of economic hardship are also discussed.

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Census Bureau Data Shows Economic Expansion Left Many Texans Behind in 2007

August 26, 2008
New data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that many Texans did not share the benefits of economic expansion in 2007 and still cannot meet their basic needs. Hard work for Texans was rewarded in far too many cases with very low wages and no employer-sponsored health insurance. While Texas poverty and income improved slightly in 2007, poverty rates remain worse than during the last recession, and Texas still has the worst uninsured rate in the U.S. The data suggest that Texas state policies make it harder, not easier, for hardworking Texans to get out of poverty and to get health insurance.

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Statement of F. Scott McCown on the Bohac-Patrick Plan

August 20, 2008
At a hearing of the Texas House of Representatives Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform, chaired by Representative John Otto, in Houston on August 18, Representative Dwayne Bohac and Senator Dan Patrick presented a plan that they say would allow the Legislature to create a 5 percent annual appraisal cap on residence homesteads rather than the present 10 percent cap without a constitutional amendment. But their plan is based upon a misunderstanding of what the constitution says after its most recent amendment in 2007. Lowering the cap does require a constitutional amendment.

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To view a complete listing of all of our work by date, click here.