Podcasts about tppf

Welcome to The Right Idea, the show where we break down the people, policies, and politics shaping Texas! In Episode 89, TPPF's Chief Communications Officer Bryan Phillips and Chief of Research Derek Cohen give a comprehensive recap of the final week of the Texas legislative session.

In this episode of The Right Idea, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with David Dunmoyer, Campaign Director for Better Tech for Tomorrow at TPPF, to discuss Texas' bold leadership in tech policy. From banning social media for minors to pioneering AI regulation, Texas is setting the stage for a safer, innovative future. Learn about the shocking harms of social media on kids, the legislative push to protect the next generation, and why tech giants like Elon Musk are flocking to the Lone Star State.2:00 Hot Take - What's the strangest scandal in American political history?8:20 Texas Tech Policy - Is there a reason Texas has taken the lead?12:30 The aggressive push to limit children's access to social media37:28 Smart phones in Texas classrooms49:15 2025 - The Year of the Parent!54:23 A.I. - hero or villain?

On this episode of the Rebel Tech Podcast, TPPF's John Mondi is joined by Richardson ISD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Matthew Gibbins and Jeanne Mallory,  a teacher from Rancier Middle School in Killeen ISD to discuss how their districts have taken the initiative to eliminate the distractions of phones in the classroom as well as some potential support from the state in the form of legislation. 

TPPF's Brian Phillips, Derek Cohen, and Andrew Brown break down the final stretch of the Texas legislative session on a major deadline day. They discuss Texas' foster care system, statewide testing, education funding, taxpayer funded lobbying, and more.1:50 Hot Take: What page of the calendar will the House end on tonight?5:24 Foster care in Texas24:40 The Bell Tolls with the first deadline in the Texas House tonight 35:58 Bye-Bye Texas STAAR Test!39:56 Senate Bill 2972 reins in college campus protests41:17 Bail Reform in Texas43:23 Taxpayer Funded Lobbying47:22 What're you watching?

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Much from the 89th Texas Legislature including: Burrows Blocks Effort Limiting Scholarship Program to US Citizens – ridiculous ruling Following Trump, Texas may recognize Gulf of America ‘Stopping Foreign Adversaries' Land Grabs' Bill Passes House Committee Year-Round Daylight Saving Time Bill Passes Texas House Bill could introduce air conditioning in Texas' sweltering prisons Texas House committee hears proposals to give AG Ken Paxton's office more power [to return powers taken away by a court ruling] McConaughey champions bill to create Texas film incentive fund Texas lawmakers consider barring counties from mailing unsolicited voter registration forms – only a moron could be opposed to what this bill does. Gov't should be neutral to the idea of voting, not working itself and funding others to turn out voters. Requiring voters to prove citizenship spurs concern that eligible Texans won't be able to cast ballots – same arguments used against Voter I.D. which turned out to be untrue. Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Lubbock County Commissioner Jason Corley joins with TPPF, others, in suing overreaching Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) rulemaking.ICE is reversing termination of international students' legal status, lawyer says. The whole thing has been an example of why conservatives should always be leery of government work, even the government actions you support. It's been a disaster that makes the original intent look terrible. Don't trust government to anything but that which it must do and then expect incompetence.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Punishing local governments that violate Texas law is the subject of a bill, HB 4283, from Rep. Marc LaHood of San Antonio. His comments to TPPF on the bill tie in with a recent column of mine on the subject of “local control.”Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.America and Texas winning: Nvidia investing heavily in Texas to build AI chips in the USA and supercomputer manufacturing. Total investment could be as much as $500 billion!Border and illegal immigration news: Texas and New York Judges Broaden Temporary Protection for Venezuelan Migrants Facing Removal Newly Captured Los Zetas Cartel Lieutenant Spent Time Hiding in Texas Federal Agents Deport Imprisoned Mexican Former Governor Working for Cartels, Protected by Mexico's Government Qatar's Billion-Dollar Influence At Texas A&M Under Scrutiny.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

For too long, the southern border of the U.S. has been a vulnerability for American national security, sovereignty, and immigration policymaking. And with Texas bearing the brunt of the border crisis, what do these challenges and dangers to the American people look like? Melissa Ford, Policy Director for the Texas Public Policy Foundation's (TPPF) Secure and Sovereign Texas campaign, warns about the major security and sovereignty threat from Mexican drug cartels. She also calls for stronger comprehensive policies to uphold American values of legal immigration, national security, and the rule of law.Learn more about TPPF at www.texaspolicy.com!Melissa's TPPF profile: https://www.texaspolicy.com/about/staff/melissa-fordSupport the showVisit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.

On this episode of The Rebel Tech Podcast, TPPF's David Dunmoyer and Greyson Gee sit down with President of the Digital Progress Institute, Joel Thayer, to discuss tech policy issues like responsible use of AI, empowering parents to parent in the digital age with the App Store Accountability Act, and much more.

Join Ariana Guajardo on The Sweet Tea Series as we dive into the hottest topic buzzing online: the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement! In this episode, we're spilling the sweet tea with two incredible women—Jess Brasington, founder of Mama Bears Rising, and Brigid Rasmussen, former Team Kennedy Chief of Staff and COO of MAHA Action. From transparency in food labels to banning artificial dyes in school lunches, we're unpacking how MAHA is reshaping health, politics, and pop culture across America.Discover how this cross-partisan movement, sparked by Bobby Kennedy and President Trump, is empowering moms, college students, and influencers to demand healthier living. We'll explore Texas-led initiatives, the rise of women's health awareness, and practical ways people are get involved.Guests:Jess Brasington: @MamaBearsRising | mamabearsrising.comBrigid Rasmussen: mahaction.com

Robert Henneke, Executive Director at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, talks with Kirk Avery about the work TPPF does defending liberty in Texas. They also discuss opportunities for Regents juniors/seniors through the Texas Scholars Program that aim to give students hands-on experience in a think-tank environment over the course of a semester.

Welcome back to the EPPiC Broadcast! Our latest episode features Andrew Brown, Vice President of Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and an attorney who has represented families harmed by the child welfare system. Today, he talks about recent and future changes in the Texas welfare laws, with a special focus on a bill requiring CPS workers to inform parents of their rights in an investigation. He also discusses the “civil death penalty” – termination of parental rights – and the reforms it needs. Relatedly, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas recently praised the TX Legislature for its recent CPS reforms, and urged it to consider changes to the procedures for parental rights terminations. You can find the video of his remarks here: https://x.com/TPPF/status/1895528525651984683The EPPiC Broadcast is hosted by Michael Ramey, president of the Parental Rights Foundation. You can sign up for email alerts to keep yourself informed on parental rights news at https://parentalrightsfoundation.org/get-involved/.Support the show

TPPF's Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen react to this week's nearly 24-hour marathon of testimony and debate over Texas House Bill 3, on Education Savings Accounts.2:56 Hot Take: Which American product or service would you promote from the White House Lawn?9:10 Texas House Pub Ed Committee hearing on HB3 reaction23:35 Department of Education “vacates”30:59 Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar will be the next chancellor of the Texas A&M University System 36:19 Texas Lawmakers aim to supplant Delaware as corporate HQ hub with new pro-business bill40:06 Survey Says: Texans say they get their political news from social media46:37 What to Watch For

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by TPPF's K-12 Education Policy Director, Jorge Borrego, to discuss Texas' proposed Education Savings Account legislation and dispel the common myths around it.1:19 Hot Take: Should the State of the Union return to merely a written letter to Congress?7:40 ESAs - What are they and how do they work?18:05 How will ESAs be prioritized?24:05 Myth busting - School choice will kill Friday Night Lights26:43 Myth busting - School choice will defund public schools31:03 Myth busting - School choice = no testing nor accountability42:25 Survey Says: Overwhelming support for ESAs47:32 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics - Parental Choice & Black Empowerment52:10 What're you watching?

Live from Texas Policy Summit 2025, TPPF's David Dunmoyer sits down with Right on Crime Executive Director, Brett Tolman to discuss the connections between technology and criminal justice, FISA and how the future of A.I. in policing. 

Brian and Derek review the incredible week's events at TPPF's annual Texas Policy Summit, featuring highlights from Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, House Speaker Burrows, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Congressman Chip Roy and so much more!

On this Salcedo Storm Podcast: Brian Phillips is the Chief Communications Officer for the Texas Public Policy Foundation. As a veteran of presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial campaigns, Brian Phillips has helped policymakers and political candidates develop effective messages and communication strategies for over a decade.

This week, Brian Phillips and TPPF's Vice President of Policy, Andrew Brown, discuss Governor Abbott's State of the State address, in which he outlined his top priorities for the 89th Legislative Session.1:46 Hot Take: Best / Worst Trades in Sports History9:06 Property Tax Relief16:08 Water22:07 Education31:09 Bail Reform35:06 The Texas Cyber Command43:57 Survey Says: GOP & American public on the same page51:55 What're you watching?

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen are joined by TPPF's Secure & Sovereign Texas Campaign Director, Selene Rodriguez, to dive into President Trump's Executive Orders and other plans to secure our southern border.1:24 Hot Take: Who would be your unexpected band to headline YOUR inauguration party?6:13 What are President Trump's border security oriented Executive Orders?30:11 Survey Says! U.S. leaders' approval ratings34:59 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics: Public school employment is up while enrollment is down41:09 What to watch for

In this first episode of 2025, Pat and Chad hit a wide range of topics and do our best to avoid derailing the conversation with too much college football.Timestamps04:25 - TPPF Property Tax Proposals29:51 - TPPF on "Home Sharing"40:16 - Congestion pricing in New York City54:12 - Texas AG sues Allstate67:48 - Comptroller's Biennial Revenue Estimate for 2025-26LinksAsterisk (Merriam-Webster)15 Ways to Improve the M&O Property Tax (TPPF)Defending Home-Sharing is About Protecting Basic Freedoms (TPPF)Paxton files suit against Allstate, alleges company secretly collected driver's data to raise rates (Houston Chronicle)Biennial Revenue Estimate for 2025-26 (Texas Comptroller)

Today on the Jimmy Barrett Show:Does your partner act like a baby when they are sick?What's happening with the Houston Housing Authority?                  TPPF's James Quinterro on squatting in Texas

Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen discuss the upcoming Texas Legislative Session and the key issues that lie ahead with TPPF's Vice President of Policy, Andrew Brown.1:24 Hot Take: New Year's Resolutions5:55 Parent Empowerment8:34 Water10:55 The Economy12:37 Property Taxes16:59 School Choice/Parent Empowerment25:11 The Border30:40 Energy34:36 Higher Education / DEI36:14 Housing Affordability40:10 Technology Policies43:12 Survey Says! Healthcare!49:33 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics: Gambling In Texas59:24 What to watch for

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: The now common move by companies to block your right to tinker with or repair your own private property is a growing and costly concern. What will the Texas Legislature doe about such this next session? We talk about the Right to Repair issue with David Dunmoyer of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. See the TPPF report on the issue here.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.TEA now probing over 100 teachers linked to certification cheating ring.ERCOT says Texas is better prepared for extreme cold this winter with more electrical generation on the grid.Good news: Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister bows out of nomination for DEA administrator. Read more here.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

Today on the Jimmy Barrett Show:It's election night!TPPF's Chuck DeVore on how he thinks the election will go 

On this episode, TPPF's David Dunmoyer is joined by Norman Garza, the executive director of the Texas Space Commission, to discuss the future of space exploration in Texas and beyond. 

TPPF's Taxpayer Protection Project Policy Director, James Quintero, talks government transparency with Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen. They discuss the challenges citizens face requesting information from bureaucrats and policy solutions to better inform the public about how their tax dollars are being used.0:33 Hot Take: What is Trump's fantasy football value & can he be flexed?9:49 Our current system doesn't allow the public to remain informed10:29 Their game plan: “Disregard, Delay & Deny”29:40 Sunshine Week41:19 Survey Says: 48% of Texan Latinos back Trump (10% increase from 2020)47:01 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics: subsidizing unreliable energy sources

On this episode, David sits down with Carson Clayton, the campaign director for TPPF's energy initiative, Life:Powered, to discuss nuclear power and how it can be a more substantial part of Texas' energy future.

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: As predicted, Democrats fall in line with Willie Brown's lover to be that broken political party's nominee for President. What about all that “democracy” they change about? What about nominating a candidate who actually fixes the problem the party had with Biden? Putting in Harris lends credibility to the “palace coup” talk because it does little to nothing to make the ticket stronger against Trump. Kamala Harris's Mark Kelly Delusion July Polls: Trump Crushes Harris in 13 National Surveys Poll: Just 37% Say Kamala Harris Should Be Democrat Nominee How Kamala Harris Silenced Dissent, Demonized Conservatives Succession by defenestration: How Biden's withdrawal could trigger a 25th Amendment fight Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.After disastrous hearings in the U.S. House, the feckless DEI pushing director of the U.S. Secret Service resigns.With Lubbock-based Brandon & Clark, TPPF challenges EEOC rule violating Quorum Clause of U.S. Constitution. The suit revolves around the idea that Congress violated the Quorum Clause in allowing its members to vote by proxy, and not in person, on a spending bill which authorized the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act – one tenet of which is that employers must accommodate employees seeking an elective abortion.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

Heritage Foundation President Dr. Kevin Roberts sits down with Tim Kennedy, Green Beret sniper, author, UFC fighter, and entrepreneur.About Tim: Tim Kennedy, Green Beret Sniper, author, UFC Fighter & Entrepreneur has a rapidly growing audience with millions of followers on his personal Instagram and over 10 million followers through the many outlets of his parent company Tim Kennedy Operations and Sheepdog Response. He's starred on the History Channel's Hunting Hitler and Discovery's Hard to Kill. Tim owns Apogee Cedar Park, a private school in Texas, and Sheepdog Response, a tactical training company. He lives with his wife and children in Texas. You can follow Tim on Instagram & Twitter @TimKennedyMMA.About Kevin:Kevin D. Roberts, Ph.D., is president of The Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action for America. At Heritage, America's largest conservative think tank, he has raised revenue by 27% to over $100 million, led the creation of new initiatives including the Oversight Project, Presidential Transition Project, and the Border Security and Immigration Center. He has made waves in American media by blindsiding the World Economic Forum's fifty-fourth meeting in Davos declaring that the global elites' “time is up,” calling Big-Tech the “enemy of the people,” advocating for accountability and restraint in funding aid to Ukraine, and identifying the Chinese Communist Party as America's number one enemy. Before serving as President of Heritage, Dr. Roberts served as Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), the largest state-based think tank in the nation. Prior to TPPF, Dr. Roberts was the second president of Wyoming Catholic College, the only private Catholic college in the state and one of the only colleges in the nation to reject federal funds, earning him the moniker of a “cowboy-style Catholic” from the New York Times. Before Wyoming Catholic College, Dr. Roberts founded the John Paul the Great Academy, a K-12 Catholic liberal arts school in his native Lafayette, Louisiana where he served as president and headmaster for seven years. A lifelong educator, Roberts earned his Ph.D. in American History from the University of Texas. In addition to his doctorate, Roberts holds a master's degree in History from Virginia Tech and a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Roberts and his wife have four children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian and Derek sit down with Political Expert Tyler Norris and TPPF's Distinguished Senior Fellow Sherry Sylvester to discuss the aftermath of the May 2024 Texas Runoff Election Results.

Happy Mother's Day! Powerhouse Mom and TPPF's Next Generation Texas Campaign Director, Mandy Drogin, is back! She sat down with Ariana to share stories of moms in Texas who are fighting for school choice, the parenting challenges facing moms today, and how her mom has inspired her.

Jordan Leighty is back on The Sweet Tea Series! This week, she sits down with Ariana to talk about her internship at TPPF, why Gen Z is choosing not to attend college, how college doesn't necessarily prepare students for the workforce. Plus, get the tea on the ongoing fight against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at UT Austin, the problems with DEI initiatives on colleges campuses, and the advice Jordan would give younger self before attending college!

Brian and Derek have the pleasure of sitting down with TPPF's Director of Litigation, Chance Weldon, to discuss Olympic break dancing, squatter's rights (or the lack thereof), overpaid superintendents, and much more.0:55 Olympic Breakin': Electric Boogaloo4:05 Squatting in America19:25 Governor Abbott's warning to squatters30:30 Survey Says! 75% think the cost of living is rising, 7% can't do math36:00 Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics - 91 TX superintendents make over $300k42:50 What're You Watching?

At the 2024 Texas Policy Summit, Ariana sat down with Jacki Deason, host of The Jacki Daily Show to unpack her career on Capitol Hill, her work on energy policy, including as a senior fellow for TPPF's Life:Powered energy initiative, the importance of energy security, how women can get involved with energy policy, and her advice to women who want to attend law school. 

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Governor Abbott repeats the goal of eliminating public school M&O property taxes at TPPF summit. Lt. Gov. Patrick gets standing ovation for committing to passage of school choice.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Pro-homosexual and trans-sexual political action committee formed in Denton ISD and I kid you not, it's the SODPAC!Rig count remains flat in Texas.Texas continues to have low unemployment and to set employment records. Job growth “surged” in February.How things work under Democrat bail or criminal justice reform: 26-year-old woman given 16 bonds in about a year accused of seriously injuring fast food employee.Border news: Illegal immigrants storm US border in El Paso, knock over guards Border Patrol chief suggests ‘jail time,' tougher ‘consequences' to stop illegal US-Mexico border crossings Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

Mark Mills joins Jacki to explain: why we should not fear climate change; the money being made from the climate agenda; why the young should not forego having children for climate concerns; that the energy transition – as currently advertised – is not actually happening or going to happen; the downfall of ESG.

This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, October 26th, 2023. Alps Precious Metals: IN GENESIS CHAPTER 2, VERSES 10 THROUGH 12, GOD TELLS OF THE GOLD IN THE LAND OF HAVILAH, AND THAT THE GOLD OF THAT LAND IS GOOD. EVER SINCE THE DAWN OF OUR FATHER’S WORLD, GOLD HAS BEEN UNIVERSALLY RECOGNIZED AS TRUE MONEY AND, THEREFORE, THE MOST RELIABLE STORE OF SAVINGS. CROSS POLITIC’S CORPORATE PARTNER, ALPS PRECIOUS METALS, ENABLES THEIR CLIENTS TO PROTECT THEIR GOD-GIVEN, HARD-EARNED WEALTH FROM THE SERIOUS FINANCIAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE UPON US. ALPS PROVIDES THE CROSSPOLITIC FAMILY WITH THE BEST STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS FOR INVESTING IN PHYSICAL PRECIOUS METALS. AS A RESULT, YOU CAN ENJOY A PEACE OF MIND THAT CAN BE HAD WITH FEW OTHER INVESTMENTS. CALL JAMES HUNTER OF ALPS AT 251-377-2197, AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALPSPMG.COM https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/speaker-of-the-house-race-october-25 Johnson secures speaker's gavel as Republicans rally behind nominee Rep. Mike Johnson was elected by the House to become the next speaker as Republicans rallied behind their fourth nominee to replace former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Johnson could afford only a handful of defections from his fellow Republicans in the chamber-wide vote, but unlike prior candidates, there were no defections to his candidacy from his party. He won 220 votes, needing around 217 to become speaker. Democrats meanwhile continued to vote for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He picked up 209 votes from his fellow Democrats. Johnson scored his party's nomination late Tuesday, with several members absent and three voting present. In just the hours from Tuesday, though, Johnson has shored up support from the three Republicans who voted present in Tuesday's late nomination vote. Johnson also got support from President Trump, who gave his support for the GOP nominee, urging Republicans to "get it done, fast" ahead of a potential House speaker vote. DNC says House GOP will 'have to answer' for electing 'MAGA' Mike Johnson as speaker The Democratic National Committee (DNC) took aim at newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Wednesday just before he won a House-wide vote to replace former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., saying Republicans would "have to answer" to voters in 2024 for supporting him. “Many Americans are waking up this morning wondering — who is Mike Johnson? We’re here to help: MAGA Republicans’ new speaker-designate supports extreme nationwide abortion bans," DNC National Press Secretary Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. "He led the charge for Donald Trump denying President Biden’s legitimate election win and tried to overthrow the votes of 81 million Americans. He’s a leading proponent of slashing Social Security and Medicare," she said. Chitika called Johnson a "carbon-copy" of "MAGA extremism," and predicted House Republicans would have to answer for supporting him when voters head to the polls in 2024. "Make no mistake: The American people will hold them accountable for this choice," she added. Republicans celebrate newly minted House Speaker Mike Johnson's gavel ascension Republicans celebrated the election of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., after he ascended to the gavel on Wednesday. Johnson was elected speaker via a vote of 220-209, taking over the gavel from Speaker pro-tempore Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. Republicans were ecstatic about the election of Johnson, with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer — who secured the GOP's speaker nomination on Tuesday before bowing out — writing his congratulations to the new speaker. "Congratulations to my friend and colleague, [Johnson], on being elected Speaker of the House!" Emmer posted. "His strong convictions and commitment to conservatism will serve this body and the American people well," Emmer added. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., who also ran for House speaker, wrote "servant leadership," with a picture of the new speaker's nameplate "God bless America," Donalds wrote. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-report-unmasks-true-costs-electric-vehicle-mandates-remain-expensive New report unmasks true costs of electric vehicle mandates: 'Remain more expensive' A sweeping first-of-its-kind analysis published by think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) concludes that electric vehicles (EV) would cost tens of thousands of dollars more if not for generous taxpayer-funded incentives. According to the TPPF report — authored by energy experts Jason Isaac and Brent Bennett — the average model year 2021 EV would cost approximately $48,698 more to own over a 10-year period without the staggering $22 billion in taxpayer-funded handouts that the government provides to electric car manufacturers and owners. The analysis factors in federal fuel efficiency programs, electric grid strain, and direct state and federal subsidies. "It is not an overstatement to say that the federal government is subsidizing EVs to a greater degree than even wind and solar electricity generation and embarking on an unprecedented endeavor to remake the entire American auto industry," the report states. "Despite these massive incentives, EVs are receiving a tepid response from the majority of Americans who cannot shoulder their higher cost." "It’s time for federal and state governments to stop driving the American auto industry off an economic cliff and allow markets to drive further improvements in cost and efficiency," it continues. The report determined that, thanks to a special multiplier that has existed for more than two decades, EVs receive roughly seven times more credits under federal fuel efficiency programs than they provide in actual fuel economy benefits. That figure, the total regulatory credits from federal and state fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards, amounts to an average of $27,881 per vehicle for EV makers. Further, the analysis calculated the socialized cost of EV charging stations' strain on the U.S. electric grid amounts to an average of $11,833 per EV over 10 years. Such costs are shouldered by utility ratepayers and taxpayers, many of whom may not own an EV. And, finally, state governments and the federal government provide an average of $8,984 per EV over 10 years in direct taxpayer-funded subsidies. "The stark reality for proponents of EVs and for the dreamers in the federal government, who are using fuel economy regulations to force manufacturers to produce ever more EVs, is that the true cost of an EV is in no way close to a comparable [internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV)]," the report concludes. "Without increased and sustained government favors, EVs will remain more expensive than ICEVs for many years to come," it states. "Hence why, even with these subsidies, EVs have been challenging for dealers to sell and why basic economic realities indicate that the Biden administration’s dream of achieving 100% EVs by 2040 will never become a reality." The TPPF report, meanwhile, comes as lawmakers at the federal and state level continue to take aim at traditional gas-powered vehicles while boosting EVs. President Biden has set a goal of ensuring 50% of all car sales are zero-emissions by 2030 and his administration has pursued rigorous restrictions on gas-powered vehicles. In December 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized rules, which targeted heavy-duty trucks, that it said at the time were the "strongest-ever national clean air standards to cut smog- and soot-forming emissions" from such vehicles. The new standards went into effect on March 27 and will be implemented for new trucks sold after 2027. Then, in April, the EPA proposed the most aggressive federal tailpipe emissions rules on light- and medium-duty emissions ever crafted. If finalized and implemented, 67% of new sedan, crossover, SUV and light truck purchases, up to 50% of bus and garbage truck purchases, 35% of short-haul freight tractor purchases, and 25% of long-haul freight tractor purchases could be electric by 2032, the White House projected. Months later, in July, the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued its most aggressive fuel economy standards ever, an action critics say would increase consumer costs. And last year, the EPA also reinstated California’s authority under the Clean Air Act to implement its own emission standards and electric vehicle sales mandates, allowing other states to also adopt California's rules. The state then approved regulations that mandated all car purchases in the state — which leads the country in annual car sales — be electric by 2035. https://redstate.com/wardclark/2023/10/24/chinese-scientists-discover-8-new-viruses-on-tropical-island-what-could-possibly-go-wrong-n2165509 Chinese Scientists Discover 8 New Viruses on Tropical Island - What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Chinese scientists working on tropical Hainan Island off China's southern coast have discovered eight new viruses in that island's rodent population, and have not ruled out the capability of those viruses to species-jump to humans. One of the viruses has been confirmed to have been a coronavirus; the COVID-19 virus was also a coronavirus, as are several of the viruses that can cause the syndrome we call "the common cold," although rhinoviruses are more common in those cases. Researchers tasked with preparing the world for future pandemic took almost 700 samples from rodents living in Hainan, just off China's southern coast. Eight novel viruses — including one belonging to the same family as Covid — were uncovered in the project, funded by the Chinese Government. Experts said the discovered pathogens had a 'high probability' of infecting humans should they ever cross the species barrier. As a result, they called for further experiments on the viruses to determine exactly what their effects on humans could be. Lots of people from lots of governments as well as academic institutions and private-sector organizations do these kinds of surveys, of course. That's how we learn about viruses, or about anything else in the natural world — by going out, taking samples, and examining things. But there's a different wrinkle in this case. The findings were shared in the journal Virologica Sinica, the publishing arm of the Chinese Society for Microbiology (CSM). CSM is linked to the state-affiliated China Association of Science and Technology, which 'accepts administrative supervision' from the Chinese Government's 'Ministry of Civil Affairs'. Virologica Sinica is also edited by Dr Shi Zhengli, an influential scientist described as China's 'bat woman' who works inside the Wuhan Institute of Virology – considered to be the source of the Covid pandemic in some corners. The journal's editorial board also features over a dozen other academics linked to the WIV. The last sentence of that article's conclusion might raise some concerns: The pathogenicity and associated impact of these novel viruses on humans and animals should be evaluated in further studies. This is, yes, the same Wuhan virology lab that set off alarms about their safety practices at the outbreak of the COVID-19 panic. (There, the Wuhan lab isn't alone.) This is also the same Wuhan virology lab where $2 million in U.S. taxpayer funds were used to conduct research, including gain-of-function research. If that doesn't set some alarm bells ringing, it's not at all clear what would. Coming as it does, hot on the heels of the impeccably coiffed Governor Newsom flying to the Middle Kingdom to stump for Chinese electric cars, and at a time when the American public is growing good and tired of the whole COVID scare, the timing of the discovery is interesting as well. Granted, these kinds of expeditions go on all the time, and granted as well that China doesn't have an unlimited pool of virologists out there looking for work.