Texas Tomorrow

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Charles Blain focuses on the issues impacting urban and suburban communities now that will shape the future of Texas for years to come. Texas Tomorrow, a show dedicated to covering the issues important to families living in the fastest growing parts of Texas.

October 22, 2026

Different Jobs, Different Budget Calendars, Different Accounting—Who’s Right?

Harris County’s own budget reports a nine-figure deficit for the second straight year, raising a question: Can recurring revenue cover ongoing costs...
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THE LATEST

Are Bonds on Your Ballot?
Are Bonds on Your Ballot?
October 15, 2026
  Before you vote to let your county borrow money, do you know exactly what you’re approving? In one county, that question comes with an $817.5...
Why did TCEQ Reject “Zero” for Formosa’s Plastic Permit?
Why did TCEQ Reject “Zero” for Formosa’s Plastic Permit?
October 8, 2026
A company under a federal agreement to stop discharging plastic asked Texas regulators to write that same promise into its state permit. TCEQ said no.
Texas First Responders Use More Than Fifty Radio Systems
Texas First Responders Use More Than Fifty Radio Systems
October 1, 2026
  Texas officials told lawmakers it can take about 36 hours to put every responding agency on one communications plan. The challenge is not only...
What Happens When the City Sells its Land to Pay the Bills?
What Happens When the City Sells its Land to Pay the Bills?
September 10, 2026
Texas local governments must balance their budgets. Some do it with land sales, rainy-day money, utility transfers, and other dollars that may not be...
Four School Tax Votes, Nearly $1.5 Billion in Bonds, One Metro area Under Pressure?
Four School Tax Votes, Nearly $1.5 Billion in Bonds, One Metro area Under Pressure?
September 3, 2026
Four San Antonio-area school districts are asking voters for more operating money this November. What happens if either side of the ballot fails?
What Does Government Accountability Look Like When it Actually Works?
What Does Government Accountability Look Like When it Actually Works?
August 27, 2026
  Harris County’s appraisal district acknowledged a control failure and promised corrections; the next test is whether the public can verify the...
Who’s Responsible When Government AI Gives the Wrong Answer?
Who’s Responsible When Government AI Gives the Wrong Answer?
August 20, 2026
  If human reviewers fade away and government work product is AI-produced, who will be held responsible for when things go wrong?
When do Local Governments Decide What You Vote On in November?
When do Local Governments Decide What You Vote On in November?
August 13, 2026
  Most voters will not see their November local ballot until October. But cities, counties, school districts, and special districts are making...
Did a Judge Just Kill Race-based Contracting?
Did a Judge Just Kill Race-based Contracting?
July 30, 2026
  Houston awarded $579 million to certified minority-, women-, and small-business contractors last year. Now, a federal judge has blocked the...
When the Data Gets it Wrong, Who Pays the Price?
When the Data Gets it Wrong, Who Pays the Price?
July 23, 2026
A private company built a 100,000-camera surveillance grid, wired it so federal authorities can access it, and operated it for more than a year...
The Hidden Cost of Rising Home Prices
The Hidden Cost of Rising Home Prices
July 16, 2026
Texas home prices are still climbing in some of the state’s most expensive communities; can the property‑tax system keep up without shifting costs...
San Antonio’s 33-Year Tax Streak Is About to End — And Every Texas City Should Be Watching
San Antonio’s 33-Year Tax Streak Is About to End — And Every Texas City Should Be Watching
July 9, 2026
San Antonio hasn’t raised its property tax rate in 33 years. But with a $172 million deficit looming, a September 17 council vote ahead, and...