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Latest News
The political posturing of Lina Hidalgo
By Charles Blain, president of the Urban Reform Institute | Dec 2, 2021
With four candidates dueling it out in a Republican Primary to replace her and with rumors of a primary challenge, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is attempting to silence critics who have long criticized her over her lack of urgency to address Harris County’s burgeoning crime issue. This week, Hidalgo launched the Harris County Safe Program, a $2.6 million crime reduction initiative.
How much will the Build Back Better bill cost?
By Bill King | Nov 29, 2021
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its estimate of the effect of the Democrats’ proposed “human infrastructure” bill, referred to as the Build Back Better legislation (BBB), on the federal deficit.
We get the government we deserve
By Charles Blain | Nov 19, 2021
Our two largest local institutions, Harris County and the City of Houston, are under investigation because of actions taken by the county judge and the mayor.
Texans will take a hit under the $3.5 Trillion Budget Reconciliation Bill
By Bill Peacock | Oct 19, 2021
Human nature often leads us to believe we will not be harmed by events in faraway places. However, when it comes to the proposed $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill in our nation’s capital, Texans should not succumb to this fallacy. If passed, the bill will adversely affect our state for years to come.
Op-ed: Harris County Commissioners Court vaccine outreach
By Charles Blain | Oct 4, 2021
When the Harris County Commissioners Court awarded a contract for vaccine outreach it initially flew under the radar.
Houston needs to restore faith after housing showdown
By Charles Blain | Oct 1, 2021
Former Houston Housing Director Tom McCasland’s public criticism of Mayor Turner’s housing directives was a tactic not often seen in Houston City Hall.
Elon Musk's war on Texas
By Stone Washington | Sep 28, 2021
Elon Musk has been embarrassing the Biden administration for the past eight months by constantly rejecting federal safety standards and causing too many public safety hazards to count.
King: Hidalgo 'lied' about $11 million contract
By Bill King | Sep 7, 2021
I lauded County Judge Lina Hidalgo for committing to not take campaign contribution from county contractors shortly after she was elected, a campaign finance reform I have long supported.
Texas is Open for Business
By 'Office of Senator Ted Cruz' via news houstondaily | Sep 4, 2021
I want to update you on my work in Texas this last week, hearing from agricultural producers, business owners, and community leaders on the needs of their communities and the Lone Star State's continued leadership in our nation's recovery.
Analyst: Wind, solar 'distorting' Texas energy market
By T.H. Lawrence | Aug 11, 2021
Regulation needed to ensure they provide reliable power when it is needed, says Bennett
Emergency policies have to come to an end
By Charles Blain | Aug 4, 2021
The adage “never let a good crisis go to waste” is one that has been embraced by officials in Texas and across the country over the last 18 months.
Analyst: Subsidies for renewable energy 'making the problem more expensive' for Texas
By T.H. Lawrence | Jul 27, 2021
Energy Alliance Policy Director Bill Peacock said Texas could solve its power problems as easy as one, two, three.
Houstonians may choose to restructure government this fall
By Charles Blain | Jul 23, 2021
Houston’s structure of governance could change this November if a coalition aimed at winnowing down the mayor’s power is successful.
Anderson: Texas is 'latest pawn' of Democrats' goal of fabricating an election integrity crisis that 'doesn't exist'
By T.H. Lawrence | Jul 22, 2021
Did Texas Democrats have a long-range plan when they fled Austin to stop votes on a pair of election bills?
Policy analyst: COVID-19 deaths by ethnicity 'more nuanced' than wider narrative
By John Breslin | Jul 13, 2021
Raw data on COVID-19 deaths by ethnicity in Texas and across the U.S. reveals a "very different" and more nuanced picture than the narrative that minority communities are disproportionately affected by the virus, according to one public policy analyst.
The latest threat to illegal immigration in Texas: The Lumbee Recognition Act
By Matt Mackowiak | Jul 7, 2021
Not long ago, two individuals pled guilty in Texas to selling illegal immigrants admission into a fake Indian tribe so that they could obtain residency in the U.S.
Despite popularity, guaranteed basic income is not the answer to upward mobility
By Charles Blain, president of the Urban Reform Institute | Jun 3, 2021
Few public policy ideas have spread as fast as guaranteed basic income has across America’s largest local governments.
Will the Texas Legislature take on renewable energy?
By Bill Peacock | May 24, 2021
Despite years of increasing reliance on intermittent generation sources like wind and solar, Texas policymakers seem to have been caught by surprise by the blackouts experienced by millions of Texans this winter.
Opinion: Why home-schoolers should have equal access to UIL activities
By Jeremy Newman | May 12, 2021
Everyone is familiar with home schooling these days. Virtually any family who isn’t home schooling their own children knows numerous other families who are.