Local Government Small Towns, Big Tax Increases The city of Whitesboro ignited a firestorm recently when officials suggested adopting a tax rate that would have skyrocketed the average homeowner’s property tax bill by 61 percent. The initial public hearing to discuss the matter drew hordes of angry Whitesboro residents who voiced their discontent. So much so, in fact, that city councilmembers tabled... September 17, 2025
Energy & Environment Forecasting the Future of the ERCOT Grid, Part 1: The Ongoing Winter Reliability Challenge Forecasting the Future of the ERCOT Grid, Part 1: The Ongoing Winter Reliability Challenge Written By: Michael Reed and Brent Bennett, Ph.D. Download the full research paper here. Key Points While the operational performance of the ERCOT grid has improved since Winter Storm Uri in 2021, the increasing reliance of the grid on wind, solar,... June 8, 2026
Energy & Environment Transmission Trouble The Public Utility Commission of Texas should pause implementation of ERCOT’s Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan (STEP) and carefully evaluate more affordable, reliable alternatives before committing Texans to the largest transmission projects in state history. While Texas faces growing electricity demand from population growth, industrial expansion, and data centers, STEP fails to address the state’s most... June 4, 2026