Charles Blain

Charles Blain is the president of Urban Reform and Urban Reform Institute. A native of New Jersey, he is based in Houston and writes on municipal finance and other urban issues.
Sugar Land to Ban Smoke Shops

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Sugar Land to Ban Smoke Shops

The City Council is considering amending the development code to remove “tobacco, hookah, and vapor retail store” as a permitted use, effectively banning any new stores, lounges, or bars that primarily sell tobacco-related products from opening.

Tax Hikes and New Fees for Houston

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Tax Hikes and New Fees for Houston

The ideas floated to close the budget deficit are a trash fee and asking voters to increase the maximum allowable revenue the city can collect under its long-existing property tax cap.