With all the talk about seemingly irreconcilable differences between Americans of varying races, it might be helpful to focus on something that unites us all—the American dream of creating a better life for ourselves and our families. What every American has in common is not just that goal, but also the pathways—education and job training. Still, it’s...
For anyone who recently has bought a car, it is striking how data-driven and consumer-friendly the process is. Gone are the days where consumers operated in the dark and car salesmen held all the power because of information asymmetry. Now consumers can look up a car’s entire history — from its first inspection at the...
Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, reminds us that Hispanics — specifically of Tejano or Mexican origin — are, and have always been, an integral part of Texas. With a Hispanic population of 40 percent and growing, it’s impossible to imagine the future of Texas without Hispanics in it. But this living legacy...
The death of a police officer in the line of duty affects every other officer—and everyone else who has ever been one. Cops do not allow their brothers and sisters to die in vain; we honor them by learning from their deaths, by ensuring that others may live through their ultimate sacrifice. Thank God the two...
Harris County keeps finding itself in the news, but for all the wrong reasons. After county officials picked another fight with Texas law and Attorney General Paxton over mail-in ballots, and the Supreme Court of Texas stepping in to issue a stay, more bombshells have dropped. One is a lawsuit filed in Harris County that investigators...
If you live in Austin, then you probably have a sense that property taxes are high. But do you know exactly how high? If not, the Travis County budget office has you covered. According to the county’s new Budget-in-Brief, the average Travis County homeowner’s tax bill will reach almost $9,000 this year. That’s roughly $500...
First as a candidate and then in the early days of his tenure, President Barack Obama proposed big changes for the U.S. healthcare system. They mostly consisted of slogans and promises, lacking much specificity as to how his plan could guarantee insurance, lower premiums, and protect individual choices all at the same time. Nevertheless, his...
Some local officials get huge paychecks. Others walk away with supersized severance packages. Still others are handed pricey perks. Case in point: Bexar County. Included in one of the county’s budget documents is a compensation chart for top officials. The chart includes a column specifying the car allowance given to each official. Some, like the...
The city of Austin’s recent move to cut millions from local law enforcement may end up backfiring in a big way. In the wake of the city’s defunding decision, concerned citizens and top officials alike have begun publicly discussing plans for a state takeover of the Austin Police Department. Proponents argue that the state has...
It is the duty of voters to hold their elected representatives accountable for the decisions they make. This rings especially true for fiscal matters. This much was echoed recently by Mack Morris who wrote that: “If the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, just as surely the price of reasonable taxation is perpetual vigilance.” His...
Few things matter more to parents than ensuring their children have a high-quality education that equips them with the tools and experiences necessary to succeed. Lower-income parents are keenly aware that an education may be the only way for their children to overcome a lifetime of low-wage, dead-end jobs. And, given that functional illiteracy plagues...
There is a familiar pattern when new electric vehicles enter the market: rave reviews, awards from environmental groups, and highly publicized waiting lists. But Tesla has taken the hype to a whole new level. “Battery Day” was last Tuesday, September 22, and thanks to the uncanny marketing prowess of its founder, Elon Musk, the company has built up serious excitement...