Research on governmental systems, how they operate, and the impact of internal/external policies.
Sunset Commission Comment: Aligning UI Good Cause Rules with State Statute
Public comment submitted to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission on Recommendation 8.2 of the TWC Staff Report. The comment addresses the extra physician-directive test applied in medical voluntary separation cases under Texas Labor Code § 207.045(d).
Unemployment Insurance, Part I: A Brief Overview
A brief overview of unemployment insurance: where it came from, how the federal-state partnership works, and the new laws, enforcement pressure, and AI questions reshaping it today. Part I of a series.
“Good Cause Connected with the Work”: A Case Study of the Texas Workforce Commission’s Unemployment Benefits Process
What happens when someone resigns from their workplace due to good cause related to their work? In other words, when an employee quits due to medical issues the employer is unable to accommodate, how does the agency tasked with administering unemployment benefits handle such cases? This field note explores my personal experience with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and their unemployment benefits process as a former employee of the agency. This is a timely issue because TWC is currently under Sunset Advisory Commission review. The Staff Report was released on June 18, 2026. This experience is being shared because the same situation is happening to Texans across the state, and policymakers need to be made aware of inconsistent patterns where they exist.
Medicaid: A Complicated History
Medicaid is one of the largest healthcare programs in the United States and serves individuals and families with lower incomes. This is the first entry in a series of field notes about Medicaid and the many issues impacting implementation across the nation, including political viewpoints, public sentiment, historical reforms, stakeholder needs, and the unforeseen consequences of policies.
Student Loans: Recent Policy Actions and the Path Forward
Recent federal changes to student loan policy are changing the way students finance their education. This policy analysis examines recent actions and highlights concerns about loan limits, borrower behavior, and access to advanced degrees.