Today, I cover:

1) National:

- Jobs report from last Friday looks good on the surface but weak under it

- CPI inflation indicates it is heating up again, and real earnings are weak

- GOP debate was too much infighting and not enough specificity, especially on spending

- Trump v. Biden: Comparison after three years of both administrations

2) States:

- Texas property tax relief isn’t being felt by many Texans, and the amount of tax relief will be much less because of excess state and local spending

- Texas Policy Research Initiative launches and posts about the messy legislative process in Texas

- New South Carolina Sustainable Budget for FY 2025 will pave a better path forward if followed

3) Other:

- I'm now an associate research fellow at AIER; don’t miss my latest piece on how states are hurting people by raising their minimum wages

- My website is newly updated; be sure to check that out as well

- Don't miss the latest LPP podcast with Adam Thierer of R Street Institute on the technology revolution

- Mark your calendars for Monday for a new podcast with Michael Cannon of Cato Institute on improving health care affordability, accessibility, and quality

Please share this episode on social media, and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).