The border crisis is not primarily an immigration problem, it’s a cartel problem. The ongoing border crisis has raised an important question among policymakers and average citizens: Are we dealing with an immigration problem or a security problem? Each lens requires a different response. But the fact is, the border crisis is not primarily an...
Kamala Harris’s policies in action in California offer a preview of coming attractions should she be elected in a few weeks. If Kamala Harris becomes president, the policies that have plagued California could soon become the reality for the entire country. California, under the leadership of Harris and Gov. Gavin Newsom, foreshadows America’s fate if...
The true cost of government debt is often understated. Case-in-point: Houston ISD’s “record-breaking” $4.4 billion bond package. To date, most of the media coverage surrounding HISD’s astronomical ask has focused on the principal amount alone, i.e., the $4.4 billion figure. However, as a recent Houston Chronicle article reminds, repaying government debt involves more than just...
Recently, former President Trump floated the idea of creating “a government efficiency commission a federal commission to audit the entire federal government.” And even better, he suggested putting Elon Musk in charge of the commission, saying he is a great “cost-cutter.” Unleashing a commission of this nature on the federal government, led by a titan...
The preamble of the Texas Public Information Act says that the people who work for government agencies do not have “the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know.” To hold public servants accountable for the decisions they make and the money they...
The military must be expected to defend its installations on American soil. When a sophisticated Chinese spy balloon floated over America in early 2023, lawmakers and the public were outraged at the Biden-Harris administration’s passivity and initial inclination to keep it quiet—only acknowledging the balloon after two civilian photographers forced their hand. Now, the Wall Street Journal...
Every Friday morning at 8:30 a.m., I join the Cardle & Woolley show, Talk 1370 Radio, in Austin to pick the week’s top Winners & Losers. Nationally, the presidential race is too close to call; in Texas, we could have called it a year ago. With 24 days to go until the election, some clarity...
It’s happened again—another government employee got a golden parachute. The Dallas Express recently reported that Harlingen ISD’s outgoing superintendent is resigning under mysterious circumstances, and they’re departing with a lot of taxpayer money, “even as the school district faces financial challenges.” The size of the severance? Over $250,000 plus the value of unused leave. The...
The proposed Southern Spirit transmission line connecting Texas to Louisiana and Mississippi has generated a lot of headlines over the past week, with my favorite coming from the publication Electrek: “Hell froze over in Texas—the state will connect to the U.S. grid for the first time via a fed grant.” I laughed. The article fails...
Mark Twain’s quip on the variable trustworthiness of statistics is part of America’s general zeitgeist at this point—but it remains no less true. Which is to say, when people are throwing numbers and averages at you, it’s always a good idea to check the math—especially when those numbers are how much you’re going to be...
Edgewood ISD finds itself in the midst of controversy once more. It was revealed recently that the lackluster school district had approved a contract extension and pay hike for its superintendent. As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, “the Edgewood Independent School District board extended his contract to 2029 and raised his salary to $291,923.”...
If at first you don’t succeed in convincing taxpayers to fund one of the most expensive football stadiums in the state, try, try, try again. Next month, Willis ISD will make its third attempt to get clearance from voters to borrow $68 million for the new facility, apparently unable to take no for an answer....