You’ve probably heard about the Dallas to Houston high-speed “bullet train” proposal, but you may not have heard many of the details beyond the claim that it can make the trip in less than 90 minutes and will be privately financed and won’t cost taxpayers a dime. The reality isn’t so clear-cut, and taxpayers should…
Today we need a rational discussion on energy policy that isn’t run by a single group or agenda. There aren’t any perfect solutions, because we don’t live in a perfect world. We need to evaluate and manage the risks and rewards from different energy sources; and we need consumers, business owners, energy companies and environmentalists…
What’s one simple thing the federal government could do to strengthen the U.S. economy and Texas oil companies? Repeal an outdated law known as the Jones Act. You probably heard about it after Hurricane Irma slammed into Puerto Rico. It restricted the amount of goods from being transported to the island and delayed recovery efforts….
This article by Jay Wall first appeared May 19, 2017 in The Houston Chronicle. The Texas House wisely stripped $43 billion in funding from the Texas Enterprise Fund and redirected that money to improve the state’s foster care system. The governor and others want to restore and even increase the funding. With the state Legislature…
Three times in the past two years the Texas Supreme Court has found that the mayor and City Council of the city of Houston misled, or attempted to mislead, city voters regarding a ballot proposition before them: once with the city’s Rain Tax proposition, and twice in connection with the HERO, or equal rights,…
One casualty of the partisan rancor in the November elections was the Harris County judiciary. Sitting judges with integrity, high qualifications, and experience were booted out in an election where voter fatigue combined with straight ticket voting to create a Democratic sweep. The situation may well reverse in the mid-term elections when Republican turnout is…
Car crashes in Houston increased 67% from 2011 to 2015, more than 26,000 crashes a year. Traffic delays have increased along with the rise in accidents. The delays have very real costs – 61 hours in delays, $1,490 in lost time, and 29 gallons of wasted fuel per auto per year, according to the Texas…
Houston is facing a serious crime problem. This is born out by statistics, crime headlines and everyday experiences on the streets of Houston. Mayor Sylvester Turner has an opportunity to make changes that will reduce crime now and improve the situation in the long term. The mayor should make changes to the Houston Police Department…
Houston Business Journal Op Ed It appears that the Uptown TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone), Metro and the city of Houston are all hell bent for leather to build the Guide Way, dedicated bus lanes up the middle of a 24-foot widened Post Oak Boulevard, supposedly to alleviate Galleria traffic congestion. I do not believe…
Houston Business Journal Op Ed In the 1970s, Congress made it illegal to export domestically produced crude oil to try and sustain domestic oil reserves and enhance our national security. Supporters of the ban argue that it not only keeps prices low, it protects jobs and also helps national security, by promoting self-sufficiency. It is…
