Calling business welfare, or crony capitalism, an economic development tool does not change what is happening in such transactions, nor does it make it better policy. In the 87th Session of the Texas Legislature, in 2021, a wonderful thing happened: Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code was allowed to expire without lawmakers renewing it....
A change in tone is not a change in tactics — and President Joe Biden’s recent approval of the Willow project, which will allow ConocoPhillips to drill for oil and gas on lands in Alaska leased from the federal government, isn’t a deviation from his openly declared goal. During his campaign, Biden said, “I guarantee you...
A new bill in Colorado, HB 1202, would allow communities to set up “safe injection sites” in hopes of curbing the state’s overdose crisis. Its sponsors argue that people can’t kick their habit if they are dead. Colorado, for once, isn’t charting the course to the drugging of people — it’s simply following the misguided lead of...
In some cases, they promote the opposite: homogeneity, inequality, and exclusion I must tip my hat to some of my friends on the left side of the political spectrum. They are some of the best wordsmiths in our society. Not only have they coined the awful word “woke” into one of the most used words in...
Texas is a hub for human trafficking, but Austin City Councilwoman Mackenzie Kelly hopes to make her city a place where those being trafficked can find help. According to the Texas Attorney General’s Office, Texas ranks No. 2 in the nation for the number of human trafficking cases. The AG reports that “3,559 substantive contacts...
Any doubts around President Joe Biden’s running for reelection were dispelled by his reversal on D.C.’s new crime bill, a political punch that blindsided Washington D.C. and House Democrats. In an attempt to stem anger at this betrayal, Biden described his decision in policy terms—he simply couldn’t stand by and let D.C. enact lower penalties...
Rebecca Kiessling testified before Congress to talk about the risk of fentanyl poisoning and why it is of the upmost importance to her. Fentanyl killed her two young sons, Caleb and Kyler. And she is just one of millions of parents experiencing this tragedy. When confronted about it, the president did what he does best—mumble,...
Our nation’s monuments reflect the people who made it their home, the struggles they endured, and the values that made it possible. Every civilization erects monuments to the things its members wish to celebrate. It does us well to occasionally stop and reflect on the nature of these monuments and what they depict; they can...
When Texas Gov. Greg Abbott visits Tyler Thursday evening, he’ll bring a clear and simple message: Texas parents have the right to direct the upbringing—and education—of their children. There’s much, much more to the governor’s plan—and for the future of Texas education. Yet despite the vast body of evidence demonstrating that parent empowerment improves education...
The University of Texas Board of Regents just made a very good decision to “pause any new DEI policies on our campuses.” Texas Tech, the University of Houston and Texas A&M also say they are working to end DEI on their campuses. In making the announcement, University of Texas Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife...
Much like our New Year’s resolutions, aspirations to improve Mississippi’s criminal justice system are carried over from year to year with recommendations that often fall short in their implementation. Since 2014, when the Mississippi legislature established the Corrections and Criminal Justice Oversight Task Force, many annual recommendations have not manifested into results that achieve greater public safety....
Since Congress hasn’t acted, Republican jurisdictions are finding ways to give parents greater power to protect their children. Toney and Brandy Roberts, the parents of Englyn Roberts, thought they had done everything right when they gave their teenage daughter a smartphone. They told her not to download social-media apps like Instagram and TikTok. They required her to share...