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Opinion News
OPINION: Metro ridership gradually improving
Houston Metro recently released its year-end ridership report. It shows that total ridership marginally improved last year from 73.3 to 76.3 million boardings, a 4% increase.
By Bill King | Oct 28, 2025
OPINION: Harris County charts plan to implement 2018 flood bond program
In 2018, in the wake of the devastating Harvey flooding, Harris County residents voted by a wide margin to approve $2.5 billion in bonds for flood improvements throughout the County.
By Bill King | Oct 1, 2025
Latest News
Host of The Josh Hammer Show: Billboard lawyer culture has 'harmed Americans' real quality of life'
By I. G. Jones | Sep 25, 2025
Josh Hammer, host of The Josh Hammer Show, has said that predatory litigation harms Americans and praised Florida's tort reform as an example of effective policy.
Host of Kaare Talks: Billboard attorneys 'continue to pilfer money from law abiding, tax paying citizens'
By D. C. Frank | Sep 25, 2025
Kaare Johnson, host of "Kaare Talks," has voiced concerns over billboard injury attorneys in Texas, claiming they exploit citizens with frivolous lawsuits.
OPINION: Serving all students with diverse learning needs. Here’s how.
By Elizabeth Goldsmith | Sep 20, 2025
The need to expand how we serve the autism community is only expanding. A new analysis released this month found the diagnosis of autism is occurring earlier and earlier in young children.
OPINION: Protect affordable coverage for Greater Houston small businesses
By Bruce Hillegeist | Sep 20, 2025
Throughout the Greater Houston region, big dreams often start small - with a single storefront, a family-run business, or a leap of faith.
OPINION: We voted against a costly home repair proposal, here’s why
By Amy Peck, Fred Flickinger, and Mary Nan Huffman | Aug 29, 2025
As Houston City Council Members, our responsibility is to make decisions that improve the quality of life and safety of Houstonians in the most responsible and fiscally prudent way possible.
OPINION: Baker Institute review of HCTRA financial statements
By Bill King | Aug 18, 2025
As most of you are aware, the Center for Tax and Budget Policy at the Baker Institute, where I am a fellow, has undertaken to review the financial statements issued by various local governmental entities in the Houston region.
OPINION: 57% of residents think Harris County is going in the wrong direction
By Bill King | Jul 29, 2025
A new poll from the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, finds that 57% of Harris County residents believe the county is headed in the wrong direction.
OPINION: Births in Harris County on downward trend for last decade
By Bill King | Jul 1, 2025
According to the Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics, births in Harris County reached a peak of 73,427 in 2015. After 2015, the birth rate began to decline steadily.
OPINION: The 20 percent tax deduction is a lifeline for Texas businesses
By Tim H. Nesler | Apr 26, 2025
I’m a proud Texas business owner. I love the communities we serve, the people we employ, and the life-changing work we do every day.
OPINION: Overtime at the City of Houston
By Bill King | Apr 8, 2025
You have probably seen news recently about the amount of overtime being paid by the City.
OPINION: Review of City of Houston 2023-2024 Audit
By Bill King | Apr 1, 2025
All governmental entities in Texas are required to issue an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) within six months of the end of its fiscal year.
OPINION: Disparities in HISD campus utilization
By Bill King | Mar 15, 2025
We just released a paper at the Baker Institute, which analyses the patterns of campus utilization across HISD’s 255 campuses.
OPINION: Harris County Toll Road Reform
By Bill King | Mar 1, 2025
As I have previously shared with you, the Harris County Toll Road system has become a cash cow. Last year, it earned a profit of over $400 million.
OPINION: Texas Must Guard Against Ties to Corruption
By Jameson Ellis | Feb 28, 2025
How did an allegedly corrupt, East Coast political machine get its claws into Texas, and why is no one in the Texas Legislature paying attention?
OPINION: Making America Healthy Starts with Big Pharma
By Matt Mackowiak | Feb 15, 2025
In 2024, President Trump campaigned on a range of real, everyday issues that resonated with the American public — chaos at our southern border, grocery prices, frustration around inflation, and government waste.
Another City of Houston fiscal chicken comes home to roost
By Bill King | Feb 13, 2025
When Sylvester Turner left the Mayor’s office at the end of 2023, he boasted of a supposed surplus in the City finances. Indeed, as of December 31, 2023, the general fund showed a healthy $485 million balance.
OPINION: Harris County Tax Bill Sticker Shock
By Bill King | Dec 27, 2024
As I have previously shared with you, when Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo claimed that the Commissioners’ Court was raising property taxes by 8%.
OPINION: Houston TIRZs are $1 billion in debt
By Bill King | Nov 27, 2024
As of last year, Houston’s tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZs) had just under $1 billion in combined liabilities.