Until now, governments in America have never shut down society like they did due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, the destruction by the novel coronavirus and the lockdowns have devastated lives and livelihoods. But we must consider not only the effects we can see such as the number of cases and deaths reported, but also the unseen...
For decades, America has failed to instill a love of country in its younger generations, with a recent poll finding that only 51 percent of young Americans are proud of America, while only 40 percent would be willing to sacrifice for their country. Along the same lines, most Americans do not know even the basics...
The media loves to portray Americans as stubborn—refusing to abide by the measures that could help address the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet the data show that Americans were already doing their part, long before measures became mandates. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has a measure of social mobility. Based on anonymous cell phone data...
Millions of Texans lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet some large, liberal cities are dangerously close to raising taxes in a big way—possibly in violation of state law. In the 2019 session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 2 which limited how fast local property tax revenues could rise without voter approval. Property...
Texas’ largest cities are drowning in debt. The latest data from the Bond Review Board reveals that Texas’ five most populated cities owe a combined $57.7 billion. Here is how they compare individually. Big City Debt Austin: $10.5 billion Dallas: $7 billion Fort Worth: $2.7 billion Houston: $20.2 billion San Antonio: $17.3 billion There are...
As of February, the US is in a recession, and Texas is no different. While the cause is different than prior recessions, people’s financial struggles are the same. With the voluntary social distancing and forced disruptions by state and local governments due to COVID-19, economic activity has collapsed, people have lost their jobs, and employers...