If Texans want growth, then we need immigrants
Immigrants have always made this country strong, and they will continue to. But only if we let them.
More Columns
The goal is zero suicides
When parents, teens, and schools are equipped with the resources, information and support they need to address the mental health needs of our youth, we will move closer to achieving the goal of zero suicides.
I lead Texas’s education board. Here’s why we want to cut Hillary Clinton — and Barry Goldwater.
While reasonable and knowledgeable people can disagree on “essential knowledge,” what should also matter is a strong process where transparency reigns and an opportunity for public response is provided. Both aspects of that process have been on ample display in Texas in recent days
Making Texas resilient is a moonshot goal
Scientists expect an increase in extreme weather, while the state’s population is doubling. Doing something about it is a grand challenge.
A blow to academic freedom — from the top of the University of Texas
Whatever the basis of the concept of academic freedom and regardless of whether in the strict sense it applies only to public institutions of higher education or resides with individual professors, it is disquieting that the regents and the president of UT Austin would now, in the court system, question its very existence.
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory
If Democrats are serious about making Texas competitive, relying on the national political environment or enthusiasm for one particular candidate is insufficient. Republican Pete Flores’ victory in SD-19 demonstrates clearly that the Texas Democratic Party must undergo significant reform and begin rebuilding its county-by-county infrastructure to effectively compete with Republicans.
Scholars, editorials are our civic obligation
My hope is that more citizens and scholars will enter the public sphere. Our democracy depends on this, as does our ability to grow and mature as human beings.
Hurricane recovery starts well before storms hit
Hurricanes are one of the risks of living near the coast. Most of the time, it’s a wonderful place to call home. We must find a sustainable and resilient way to continue this lifestyle by managing the risk. Wisdom in honestly confronting the threat by developing and building to meet the challenges is a necessary first step.
Polluters should bear a fair share of the costs of responding to climate change
On the one year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, voters in Harris County approved a $2.5 billion flood bond measure to protect the area from future storms. While taxpayers deserve credit for adopting the measure, the question remains whether they should foot the bill alone.
The ACA protects medically fragile children like my son
If we become a nation that refuses to care for the sick and disabled, where only the rich can afford medical care, we will never be great. Children like Grayson will continue to pay the price for the greed of those determining whose life is worth saving.
Beto O’Rourke can save the GOP
If we consider the long-term health of the Republican Party and our country, the choice to vote for O’Rourke should be clear. The November elections can be when we begin wrestling the power away from special interests and giving it back to hard-working average Americans, or it can be our rubber stamp of approval for a system that works mostly for the elites.
Why we need red flag gun laws in Texas
We need red flag laws because of individuals’ potential harm to themselves from owning guns and suffering from depression and other mental disorders. We must heed police departments around the state and country that see these laws as necessary.
Reaching immigrant families during their darkest times
By galvanizing local support, my community and I were able to come together and create an impact that transcends borders. These immigrants need our support more than ever. It’s time for us to fight for justice and humanity.
Football players in Texas need state protection
As football season begins again this fall, there is much to celebrate: sporting victories for young athletes and Frito pies for visitors and fans in the stands. However, the beginning of football season also reminds us of the risks of concussion for our high school athletes.
Reaching the wrong conclusions after Hurricane Harvey
Texas providers are working hard to prepare for what we hope will never happen again. Texans should be proud of the work done by our assisted living communities to address the safety of elderly Texans.
It’s not just the police. Look at the prosecutors.
We can and must demand a better response. From the police officers who claim to protect our children on the streets, yes — but even more from the trained prosecutors who have the luxury of time, counsel and careful contemplation. For their decisions, there is no excuse.
The Texas power grid: Skating on thin ice during a hot summer
The Texas power grid has come perilously close to its generating capacity of about 78 gigawatts. With Texas’ population growing more than twice as fast as the nation’s, and dozens of corporations relocating or expanding in the state every year, the demand for power will continue to increase.
Doing more than just the minimum to fight campus sexual assaults
The current political climate and recent media attention to mismanaged sexual misconduct cases can contribute to the idea that most schools approach these cases with minimum effort. That’s not the case.
Despite critics’ concerns, more oversight of state agencies is a good thing
Gov. Greg Abbott's letter on administrative rules to agency heads does not indicate that his approval is required or that he might try to “veto” proposed rules, as some speculate. The face of the letter indicates that the governor’s office wants to be aware of what state agencies are doing with respect to rulemaking. To me, it looks a lot like he’s protecting the Legislature’s turf.
What BCBSTX learned from Hurricane Harvey insurance claims
Data paints instructive healthcare picture for post-storm discussion