Local government debt in Texas has reached alarming levels, and the situation is being made worse by the process, according to a new Austin American-Statesmanarticle from the Center for Local Governance’s Jess Fields. From the article: In May, Texas school districts held bond elections asking taxpayers to approve more than $6 billion in bonds for a variety...
On Sept. 22, President William Powers, Jr. delivered his final state of the university address. In that speech, he laid out nicely the path ahead. Among UT’s “serious challenges,” he finds “[t]oo many families are being left out of higher education because they can’t afford it.” Affordability is a national issue. President Barack Obama has...
As local government debt explodes in Texas, voters are becoming increasingly uneasy about the prospect of paying for more debt out of their property taxes. As a result, some local government entities, especially school districts, are crafting ways pass bonds more easily in low-turnout elections. In May, Texas school districts held bond elections asking taxpayers...
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ban on agricultural imports from countries that have sanctioned Russia over its aggression against Ukraine. While the ban made headlines, most commenters viewed it as a largely symbolic action, which would do little to help Russia’s strategic position internationally. But within days, news reports surfaced of another...
A commonly heard solution to failing schools is to increase state spending on education. However, the state has doubled per pupil education spending in inflation-adjusted terms since 1970 without much change in educational outcomes.
This commentary originally appeared in Investor's Business Daily on September 26, 2014. It's been said that every time there's an earthquake, that's just Henry Ford turning in his grave as his heirs misspend more of his fortune. But nothing the Ford Foundation has done to undermine the free enterprise system that makes such wealth possible in the...
This commentary originally appeared in the Austin American-Statesman on September 23, 2014. According to the Texas Education Agency, Austin public school teachers earn $46,924 on average. That is less than many other professionals, and in the opinion of many they should make a lot more. Wouldn’t it be great if teachers could earn another $12,000 per year?...
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