Policy Analyst, Government Reform & Oversight Coalition

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) is seeking an experienced and motivated Policy Analyst to join our Government Reform & Oversight Coalition (GROC).

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit research-based think tank in Austin, Texas. Established in 1989, TPPF promotes conservative principles and develops free-market approaches to public policy challenges affecting Texans and all Americans. To achieve its mission, TPPF analyzes complex issues, creates legislative policy solutions, and advocates for those solutions at the Texas Legislature, Congress, and other public forums.

The Foundation offers a unique opportunity to be part of an organization that shapes the future of Texas & beyond through innovative thought leadership. At TPPF, you will have the opportunity to be part of an engaged team whose mission is to create a freer future for all Texans and Americans. We look for individuals who are passionate about advancing conservative public policy and embody servant leadership.

With a strong belief in personal responsibility, we trust our people and want to empower them to make the right decisions for the right reasons – this is why it is crucial we bring the right people on board. We value our team and work to cultivate a culture of hard work, entrepreneurship, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration. As a team, we support one another and strive to create an environment in which our team members are inspired to excel, motivated to innovate, and empowered to be servant leaders for the cause of liberty.

The Policy Analyst for the Government Reform & Oversight Coalition will focus on accountability and transparency in local government, a fundamental aspect of our mission to promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise. GROC's top priority is ending taxpayer-funded lobbying: the use of public dollars by cities, counties, school districts, and their associations to hire lobbyists who work against property tax relief, spending limits, school choice, and parental rights.

The stakes are growing. Taxpayer-funded lobbying spending reached as much as $111.5 million during the 89th Legislature, more than double the 85th. This position will conduct in-depth research, develop policy recommendations, and advocate for reforms that make local government answerable to the taxpayers who fund it, with the 90th Texas Legislative Session in 2027 as the immediate goal.

• Research and Analysis:Conduct rigorous and original research on local government accountability, including taxpayer-funded lobbying, local government debt and bond elections, school district governance, and the use of public resources for political activity. Build and analyze datasets from public records such as Texas Ethics Commission lobby filings, local debt data, and city, county, and school district budgets. Analyze legislative proposals at the state and local levels to assess their impact on taxpayers.

• Policy Development:Develop comprehensive policy recommendations that align with TPPF's foundational principles and GROC's Liberty Action Agenda. Priority areas include ending taxpayer-funded lobbying, separating school district cooperatives and investment pools from lobbying associations, building on the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, ending DEI offices in local government, curbing school district electioneering, and strengthening school board trustee oversight. Propose innovative solutions to current challenges facing Texas taxpayers.

• Advocacy and Outreach:Engage with policymakers, stakeholders, and the public to advocate for reforms that restore accountability to local government. This includes drafting op-eds, policy briefs,…