On June 8, the U.S. House voted to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to plan the building of a massive “Ike Dike” project in Galveston, Texas. Though the project would cost an estimated $31 billion, proponents say it would prevent millions of dollars in...
Just days after touting that there would be “no more shutdowns in Texas,” an order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott increased restrictions again in nine southeast Texas counties, including Galveston. In September and October, Abbott issued executive orders that expanded...
According to one homeless Austinite, “it’s a blast” to be without a home in Texas’ capital city. “This is a famous place to live on the streets. Everybody knows that,” the man said amid the noisy whoosh of cars overhead on the highway. “If you want to live on...
A letter addressed to Texas House Committee on Ways and Means’ Chairman Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock) from a group of city mayors outlines the staunch and uncompromising nature of local officials’ opposition to lowering the rollback rate to 2.5 percent. Local officials...
Two of Galveston County’s top local officials have weighed in on the Texas Legislature’s attempt to reform the state property tax system. While both officials cited some concerns, unlike most other locally elected officials, they supported the efforts and want to see...
A Republican candidate for the Texas House is speaking out against a proposed rate increase by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. In a letter to TWIA Commissioner Kent Sullivan, candidate Mayes Middleton urged him not to approve a proposed 10% rate hike in the...
Much of the air has been let out of the public pension balloon, with the most imminently at-risk systems – Dallas and Houston – being addressed last legislative session, but many smaller pension systems are still struggling and far from solvency or stability. The...
It seems like every day another county’s Republican Party executive committee joins the coalition of committees calling for a new speaker, and the latest addition is Galveston County. “The Galveston Co. GOP Executive committee has no confidence in Speaker Straus...
In mid-March, the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce heard testimony on legislation that would eliminate the patchwork quilt of regulations concerning ridesharing and set a universal standard across the state for transportation network companies, drivers, and...
Government data published by Smart Asset details the cumulative cost of local governments across the United States. After taking into account home values, the median Texas homeowner pays the fourth highest effective property taxes nationwide. But inside Texas,...
Texas prides itself on its vibrant economy and pro-business climate, but often-overlooked local regulations are stifling innovative new businesses wildly popular among millions of Texans who benefit from increased job opportunities and travel services. Last month Uber...
