Texas Policy Research provides vote recommendations on legislation using a transparent, five-part scale. Each recommendation reflects the bill’s alignment, or misalignment, with our Liberty Principles.
This scale is designed to offer lawmakers and the public clear, consistent, and principled guidance throughout the legislative process.
Vote YES
We recommend a “Yes” vote on legislation that clearly advances one or more of our Liberty Principles. These bills expand freedom, strengthen accountability, protect property rights, or reduce unnecessary government power.
Vote YES; Amend
A “Yes; Amend” recommendation applies when legislation substantially supports liberty but could be improved through a clarifying or strengthening amendment. Our support is not contingent on those changes, but we believe the bill would better serve liberty if they were adopted.
NEUTRAL
“Neutral” is reserved for rare situations where a bill does not clearly advance or undermine liberty, or where it supports some principles while harming others in a way that leaves overall impact uncertain. We use neutrality sparingly and only after careful consideration.
Vote NO
We recommend a “No” vote when legislation significantly violates one or more Liberty Principles. These bills often expand government unnecessarily, restrict freedom, weaken accountability, or erode property rights.
Vote NO; Amend
A “No; Amend” recommendation means a bill, as written, conflicts with our principles, but it could be made acceptable if specific, meaningful amendments were adopted. Should those changes be made, we may revise our recommendation.
Why This Scale Matters
Our five-part scale allows us to communicate nuance while staying grounded in principle. Unlike purely binary ratings, this system reflects both substance and opportunity: the potential for legislation to move closer to liberty through amendment.
For a detailed look at how we apply this framework, see our Evaluation Methodology.
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