| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Negative | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to the creation of the Texas brain university research
initiative.
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time due to the unavailability of data related to the number of institutions that would participate in the program and the grant amount that would be awarded through the program.
HB 15 would create the Brain Institute of Texas to study neuroscience, market needs, and implementation of procedures, and award grants to attract professionals in the field to the state and assist private entities in neurological care.
Texas Action is opposed to HB 15 on the principles of limited government and free market. This bill would grow the size and scope of government by creating an expensive new program at significant cost to taxpayers. This type of research and development is not the proper function of state government and is better left to the private sector. Furthermore, the background and purpose statement for this bill references CPRIT as a model for the institute proposed by HB 15. CPRIT has been awash in controversy, doled out billions of dollars, and is no closer to curing cancer than when it began. Texas should not use CPRIT as a model for new government programs.