Center for Public Policy Priorities News

Strengthening the Texas Unemployment Insurance System

Don Baylor — 2008-12-17T14:01:21-06:00

Yesterday, CPPP brought together state and national experts to discuss steps Texas could take to strengthen our unemployment insurance system. We were joined by Maurice Emsellem, the Policy Co-Director of the National Employment Law Project.

Presentations given at the event by CPPP's Don Baylor and Mr. Emsellem are now available online.

The State of Working Texas 2008

Don Baylor — 2008-12-17T10:21:03-06:00

As the national recession enters a second year, Texas is retreating from a three-year period of economic expansion and broadbased job growth. With jobs and profits harder to come by, Texas will need to respond to the immediate challenges posed by an impending global recession while crafting a more sustainable economic development strategy that equally considers the economic needs of companies and working families. The State of Working Texas 2008 is the latest in a series of joint projects of CPPP and the Economic Policy Institute, which published The State of Working America 2008/2009 earlier this year.

Inadequate Financial Aid for Higher Education Puts Brakes on Opportunity

Don Baylor — 2008-12-12T17:16:11-06:00

Meaningful access to higher education is a cornerstone of economic opportunity. Higher educational attainment strengthens the workforce, increases earnings, and often leads to a better quality of life--for individuals and the broader society. To remain competitive in the global marketplace, Texas must support students who are seeking higher education. This policy page discusses the underfunding of Texas' financial aid programs and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's strategies to improve educational participation and success.

The State of Texas Children 2008-09

Frances Deviney — 2008-12-11T15:05:08-06:00

The Center for Public Policy Priorities today released The State of Texas Children: Texas KIDS COUNT Annual Data Book 2008-09, a resource that provides the latest look at the well-being of children in Texas and for every county in the state. This year's data book includes a special essay on "Closing the Educational Gaps," revealing that community and statewide factors play a pivotal role in a child's academic achievement.

State's New Managed Health Care Model for Foster Children

Stacey Pogue — 2008-11-17T10:55:22-06:00

Senate Bill 6 in 2005 directed HHSC to create a new health care delivery model to provide foster children with comprehensive services, a "medical home," and coordinated access to care. HHSC worked with the DFPS to develop STAR Health, a new Medicaid managed-care model for foster children, which was implemented on April 1, 2008. This report explores the initial implementation of the program and STAR Health's potential to improve health outcomes for foster children.

A Child Alone and Without Papers

CPPP — 2008-11-13T09:13:07-06:00

A Child Alone and Without Papers, released today by the Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP), reveals what happens to more than 43,000 undocumented, unaccompanied children removed annually from the United States and repatriated to their home countries. Policy analysis and interviews with adults and children in the system revealed the U.S. often compromises children's rights, safety, and well-being, contrary to international law and U.S. child welfare standards.

For more information, including a two-page summary, backgrounders and appendices, visit www.cppp.org/repatriation.

New Federal Foster Care Legislation: What It Means for Texas

CPPP — 2008-11-03T12:59:46-06:00

On October 7, 2008, the President signed the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (H.R. 6893). The act overhauls the federal child welfare structure for the first time since the Adoptions and Safe Families Act in 1997. The law contains new requirements, changes federal financing for adoptions, and provides additional financial assistance for various optional programs. For Texas, none of the changes require new legislation, though the state must appropriate additional funding to fully benefit from the provisions of the new act. This policy paper discusses provisions of the federal legislation and the potential for helping Texas children.

Texas Health Care 2008: What Has Happened and What Work Remains

CPPP — 2008-10-23T16:59:36-06:00

CPPP's new report provides an update on major actions on health care access in the 2007 legislative session and the important issues and challenges that remain as we approach the 2009 session.

New Report Shows Need for Stronger Policies to Support Low-Income Working Families

CPPP — 2008-10-14T15:26:32-06:00

The Center for Public Policy Priorities today pointed to a new report by the Working Poor Families Project as evidence of the need for Texas to improve public structures that serve low-income working families. According to the report, 37 percent of Texas working families are low-income. Nearly two-of-three Texas low-income working families lack a parent with any postsecondary education, ranking us 48th in the nation. The report also shows that 57 percent of Texas low-income families have at least one parent without health insurance in 2006. The center cited modest improvements in need-based state financial aid since publication of the last similar report, but urged continued improvement to public structures to ensure prosperity for all Texans.

2010-11 State Budget Developments

Eva DeLuna Castro — 2008-11-08T11:52:47-06:00

This brief analysis highlights some of the major demands for additional General Revenue spending in the biennial budget for 2010 and 2011, which state legislators will write during the regular legislative session in 2009.

Policy Development in Texas: The Fiscal Realities

Eva DeLuna Castro — 2008-11-08T12:09:02-06:00

This brief document, prepared for the John B. Shepperd Public Leadership Institute, provides some very general information about the state budget and fiscal note process in Texas, as well as the major categories of spending and revenue by level of government---local, state, and federal.

CPPP Applauds Presidential Signing of Legislation to Shore Up Foster Care and Adoptions in The U.S.

CPPP — 2008-10-08T16:04:41-06:00

The Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) today applauded presidential signing of the Fostering Connection to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act. The Act contains substantial improvements to the U.S. foster care system. Without this legislation, our nation's current federal adoptions incentives program would have expired this month.

The Texas Tax and Budget Primer

Dick Lavine,Eva DeLuna Castro — 2008-10-07T13:22:54-06:00

A presentation on "Building Texas: The Tax and Budget Primer, 2008."

CPPP Hails U.S. Senate Passage of Adoption Incentives Bill, Urges Quick Presidential Action

CPPP — 2008-09-23T16:32:11-06:00

The Center for Public Policy Priorities today announced that the U.S. Senate passed the Fostering Connection to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, which contains sweeping and comprehensive improvements to the U.S. foster care system. Without this legislation, our nation's current federal adoptions incentives program would expire on September 30.

CPPP Honors Methodist Healthcare Ministries' Kevin Moriarty with 2008 Hobby Visionary Award

CPPP — 2008-09-17T16:56:34-06:00

Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) Chief Executive Officer Kevin C. Moriarty is this year's recipient of the Hobby Visionary Award. CPPP selected Moriarty for the award because of his strong record of charitable service and advocacy for good public policy, particularly for access to health care. Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby, for whom the award is named, presented the award on September 19 at the 2008 William P. Hobby Policy Conference in Austin.

CPPP Associate Director Anne Dunkelberg Honored with LBJ School Alumni Association's Distinguished Public Service Award

CPPP — 2008-09-17T16:58:57-06:00

The Center for Public Policy Priorities today announced the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs Alumni Association has honored CPPP Associate Director Anne Dunkelberg with their Distinguished Public Service Award. Dunkelberg is an LBJ School graduate and a long-time advocate for better policies for low- and mid-income Texans.

Emergency Food Stamps for Hurricane Ike Victims

Celia Hagert — 2008-09-16T14:08:30-06:00

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received approval today from the federal government to provide Emergency Food Stamps to victims of Hurricane Ike. Families must have limited income to qualify, but will only need to provide proof of identity and residence in one of the 29 counties declared a federal disaster area.

CPPP Statement on "Competitive States" Report Comparing Texas and California

CPPP — 2008-09-16T08:45:44-06:00

The Center for Public Policy Priorities today released the following statement in response to a report, "Competitive States -- Texas vs. California: Economic Growth Prospects for the 21st Century," published this afternoon by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The report badly misreads the likely outcomes of Texas' inadequate investment in vital public structures, including our education and transportation systems

Drawing the Line between Public and Private Responsibility in Child Welfare: The Texas Debate

CPPP — 2008-09-04T13:55:48-06:00

Protecting children and strengthening families is difficult, complicated work. Doing it well requires successfully engaging the entire community--both the public and private sectors. In this report, we explore the issues raised by how a state draws the line between public and private responsibility, and we make specific policy recommendations. The report compares Texas to the two states that have most completely privatized, Kansas and Florida.

A Labor Day Review of Our Unemployment Insurance System

Don Baylor — 2008-08-29T15:14:54-06:00

Texans are losing jobs and taking longer to find work in today's tough economic environment, reminding us this Labor Day of the importance of Unemployment Insurance (UI). Unemployment checks enable Texans to buy groceries, pay rent, and meet basic needs, helping both Texas families and the Texas economy. Unfortunately, Texas state policies prevent four of every five jobless Texans from collecting UI. This paper recommends common-sense, affordable changes to shore up this vital public structure that protects Texans in tough economic times. Our recommendations include new definitions for eligibility, modern infrastructure to process claims, and a smarter, sustainable funding plan.

Texas Poverty 101

Eva DeLuna Castro,Anne Dunkelberg,Celia Hagert — 2007-10-15T22:30:59-06:00

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.

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

CPPP — 2008-08-26T13:33:27-06:00

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.

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

Scott McCown — 2008-08-20T14:58:37-06:00

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.

More Outreach Needed: More than 400,000 Texans Yet to Claim Stimulus Checks

Don Baylor — 2008-08-08T14:32:56-06:00

More than 400,000 Texans may be eligible to receive economic stimulus checks but have not yet made a claim, according to the IRS. Employers, nonprofits, and state and local governments ought to consider helping locate eligible Texans and encourage them to file for stimulus payments. These rebates can still be claimed by filing a 2007 tax return before the October 15 deadline. Veterans, retirees, and others who typically are not required to file tax returns are at the highest risk of not receiving their share of the stimulus. As of late June, Texans are missing out on more than $124 million in unclaimed rebates.

Paying for a Better Budget for Texas in 2010 and 2011

Dick Lavine — 2008-07-30T11:28:48-06:00

The key to adequate funding of essential state services in the 2010-11 state budget is an adequate amount of revenue. Recently we explained the process of writing the 2010-11 budget and how to get involved. This Policy Page highlights some of the potential threats to maintaining state tax revenue and outlines how you can participate to ensure that the state has the money necessary to fund a budget aligned with your values--a budget that invests in critical public programs and structures necessary to create opportunity and prosperity for all Texans.

CPPP Comments on Texas Tuition Promise Fund Rules

Don Baylor — 2008-07-23T15:50:01-06:00

Senior Policy Analyst Don Baylor provided comments on the rules of the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board's Texas Tuition Promise Fund. Recommendations include increasing participation by creating "provisional" accounts between open enrollment periods and driving contributions to the Save & Match fund by harnessing the tax-deductibility of donations to a nonprofit foundation.

A Better Budget for Texas in 2010 and 2011

Eva DeLuna Castro — 2008-07-16T10:23:32-06:00

The Texas Legislature will convene on January 13, 2009, for the 81st Regular Session. In order for essential state services to continue in 2010 and 2011, the Legislature must pass a state budget before adjourning. This Policy Page explains the process of writing the 2010-11 budget and how you can participate to ensure a budget aligned with your values--a budget that invests in the critical public programs and structures necessary to create opportunity and prosperity.

Recommendations for the 2009 Child Nutrition Programs Reauthorization

Celia Hagert — 2008-07-21T17:07:22-06:00

Senior Policy Analyst Celia Hagert delivered testimony in a public hearing held by the USDA in Austin on July 15, 2008. Her recommendations for reauthorization of child nutrition programs include improving access, meal quality and nutrition in school breakfast and lunch, summer nutrition, afterschool and child and adult care food programs.

Eligibility System Progress Report

Celia Hagert — 2008-07-14T10:12:54-06:00

Access to health care, good nutrition, and cash assistance is vital to low-income Texas families who don't earn enough to make ends meet, particularly during economic downturns. Yet, enrolling in programs like Food Stamps and Medicaid has gotten harder over the last year due to problems with TIERS--the new computer system--and a shortage in state workers that resulted from the Legislature's failed attempt to privatize the system in 2006. Rebuilding and sustaining a viable eligibility system promises to be one of the most important challenges facing Texas in the years to come. Today, the Legislative Oversight Committee overseeing efforts to rebuild the eligibility system will hold a public hearing. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will provide a progress report and present the benchmarks that will be used in determining whether to continue implementing TIERS. In this report, CPPP outlines recommendations for HHSC to consider.

Legislative Oversight Committee on TIERS/Eligibility System to Hold Hearing on Monday, July 14

Celia Hagert — 2008-07-11T14:24:55-06:00

Access to health care and good nutrition is vital to low-income Texas families who don't earn enough to make ends meet. Yet, enrolling in programs like Food Stamps and Medicaid has gotten harder over the last year due to problems with TIERS--the new computer system--and a staff shortage that resulted from a legislatively-mandated attempt by the state to privatize the system in 2006, which failed. Rebuilding a viable eligibility system promises to be one of the most important challenges facing Texas in the years to come. On Monday, July 14, the Legislative Oversight Committee overseeing efforts to rebuild the eligibility system will hold a public hearing. The Texas Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) will provide a progress report and present the benchmarks that will be used in determining whether to continue implementing TIERS.