Making Government Work

“It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system that a single courageous state may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country.”
—U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, New State Ice Co v. Liebmann

It’s been said that all politics is local. Thankfully for Americans, a good bit of governing is local, too.

Unlike the U.S. Congress—where gridlock and strife have become more common than principled policy solutions—the states have remained beacons of innovation and dialogue. 

By and large, the states have stayed committed to making government work. Well, at least some of them.

That’s the premise of Making Government Work, a reboot of the 1994 book by the same name. Edited by Texas State Rep. Tan Parker (R, Flower Mound), the 2020 edition looks at the state-level evolution of public policy, focusing on common-sense solutions to solve the most pressing needs of our communities.

From education to taxes, healthcare to fair courts, the book brings together thought leaders from around the nation to discuss how principled decisions by state legislators can create opportunities for families and employers to thrive. TLR Chairman Dick Trabulsi penned a chapter focused on the historic steps Texas has taken to improve its legal system over the past 25 years, moving our state from the Wild West of Litigation to a national leader in job creation and economic growth. 

While Making Government Work has its roots in Texas, it brings together voices from across the country. Former Texas Gov. and U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum are just a few of the book’s contributors. 

While each contributor lays out a blueprint for solving challenges in his or her policy area, Making Government Work recognizes there is no one-size-fits-all solution. While some states’ policy experiments will be successful, others will serve as counterbalances. The important thing, however, is that each state has the freedom to make decisions in the best interests of its citizens.

Texas has taken markedly different approaches to public policy than California and New York, and it shows. By focusing on common-sense policies, Texas has bolstered its economic foundation by keeping taxes low, ensuring we have a fair and efficient legal system and making smart investments in education. That’s why employers and families continue to flock to the Lone Star State looking for opportunities and freedom. 

In the more than 25 years that TLR has been engaging in public policy in Texas, we’ve had the privilege of working with countless elected officials, and been at the forefront of many important debates about legislation and policies. We are proud of the role we’ve played in the Lone Star State, and proud to be featured in this important book. As we embark on the work of the 87th Legislative Session, we’re committed to bringing a principled voice to those policy discussions once again.