Texans texting behind the wheel: what’s the answer when wrong is not enough?
Texans, by and large, think texting and driving is bad and that it shouldn’t be allowed. But for most, those views haven’t changed their own habits behind the wheel.
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The truth about tolling
Exposing three common myths that keep Texas from making real progress on transportation.
Probation reform in Texas needs attention
An effective probation system can improve public safety, reduce costs and help Texas. It is imperative we confront this challenge.
The false narrative of Texas gun culture
Our heritage as Texans is in what matters, in substance: family, hard work and integrity. It demeans our identity to tie our legacy to guns.
High property taxes and building fees are choking Austin housing
Government isn’t the solution to every problem. In Austin, government too often is the problem. Lower taxes and less burdensome regulations would be a great place to start in truly addressing the affordability crisis.
The pipelines have been here all along
There are literally hundreds of miles of natural gas pipelines underground already in the Texas Hill Country and they have been there for generations.
Hardball politics isn’t a crime
While we can all enjoy watching this political theater in the Texas House play out, let’s not continue with the alleged criminalization of political gamesmanship.
A more progressive Texas: From Travis County to Smith County
During the latter half of the current decade, the ideological positions of Texans in counties across the state have moved to the left. A combination of generational replacement, migration and attitudinal change has resulted in all but five of the state’s 22 most populous counties experiencing a shift to the left among registered voters.
Gas flaring is a symptom of political wrong-headedness
Only ten years ago, most Americans would probably have scoffed at the notion that wasting natural resources is “necessary.” But the fracking boom changed that: As the boom has catapulted the U.S. into the top five flaring nations, just behind Iran and Iraq, flaring has become the symbol of opportunistic wastefulness in an industry at the center of the climate crisis.
The company you keep
Words matter. They always have. When Henry II of England asked, “Will no one rid me of this priest?” — surprise — four of his knights killed St. Thomas Becket. In my parents’ time, Hitler used words to incite people against the Jewish community and anyone who wasn’t Aryan. It was hate speech. We know what happened next.
Great country, broken politics
America needs new tools to support communities, candidates, and campaigns committed to cross-partisan policy solutions.
Some pointed questions on immigration for U.S. policymakers
Everyone should recognize the obvious truth: to let people earn legal status by working and paying taxes. This could be a long and difficult path, but one that immigrants of good will would find possible.
Pedestrian accidents are rising in Dallas County
New data from The Governor’s Highway Association (GHSA) showsthat the rate of pedestrian accidents in Dallas County this year is on track to match or possibly exceed the number of pedestrian accidents that occurred in 2018. This is a new addition to a disturbing trend: pedestrian accident fatalities in the county rose 82% in the years between 2010 and 2018.
Banning refugees is immoral, un-American and likely lethal
Refugees need our help, and they need it today. Stand up for our world’s most vulnerable people and reinvigorate the values that make America truly great. The futures of thousands of families depend on how we respond at this critical moment.
Immigrant workers are why my health care business has grown
If we limit immigration, we limit our base of prospective employees, and I would hate to see a hiring shortage prevent me from serving our clients.
The new hemp law reveals a bigger problem: Texas needs better cannabis laws
Rather than stick our heads in the sand and pretend the fault lies with our local elected officials, our job now is to take responsibility and to take this as an opportunity to craft cannabis policy that is well informed, respectful of the will of Texans and embarked upon in partnership with our local communities.
Knowledge: The enduring investment
WGU Texas is working diligently to ensure people from all backgrounds and life experiences have an opportunity to pursue an affordable, quality education.
Texas now boasts the nation’s strongest laws to shield patients from surprise bills
Sweeping legislation that will help protect thousands of Texans from the calamity of surprise bills and price-gouging associated with freestanding emergency rooms (FSERs) was a high point of the 86th Texas Legislative session.
Democracy shouldn’t limit voters’ choices
Texas consistently ranks at the bottom of states in terms of voter participation. What better way to engage voters than through increased choice, increased debate and increased competition among those who seek to represent us?
The depression test: A new Texas two-step
Most people with depression never get treated. But what if everyone got screened at their regular checkups?