November
Occupational Licensing in Texas How Much is Too Much?
Licensing is the most restrictive form of government occupational regulation — and an increasingly controversial type.
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November
Open Government Data The Economic Benefits of Transparency
Government represents a near-in exhaustible source of useful and important data on virtually every aspect of our lives and the economy — and these data are being used by businesses and organizations across the nation.
October
Texas’ Digital Divide The State of Broadband in Texas' Rural Communities
More than 2 million Texas households don’t have high-speed internet — and our state’s vast rural areas are especially underserved. This “digital divide” has serious implications for education, telemedicine, agriculture and small business.
October
Texas Driver’s Licenses A Customer Service Challenge
For years now, the Texas Legislature has worked with the Texas Department of Public Safety, which administers the state’s driver’s license program, to address waiting times and other issues that continue to frustrate Texas residents.
October
Cedar Park Company Aims High with NASA Contract Q&A with Tom Markusic, CEO Firefly Aerospace
“Aerospace in Texas.” That phrase might immediately make you think of NASA and Houston, but don’t overlook Firefly Aerospace in Cedar Park.
September
Fiscal Highlights from the 86th LegislatureLegislative Session Tackled Public Education, Property Taxes
The 86th Texas Legislature met in 2019 to write the state’s next budget and tackle a perennial challenge for Texas lawmakers — meaningful reforms to public education and the state’s local property tax system.
September
Taxing Out-of-State SellersNew State Tax Laws May Bring in $500 Million Annually
In the last two decades, the rapid rise of online sales has upended the retail industry, providing shoppers with an unprecedented variety of options — and posing problems both for brick-and-mortar retailers and the governments that depend on them for sales tax revenue.
August
Texas and the 1115 Medicaid WaiverAction Needed to Ensure Federal Aid
The 1115 Medicaid waiver is a federal provision that has channeled billions of dollars to innovative health and human services projects in our state. One part of the waiver is coming to an end; the state is seeking to renew the other part, to ensure that federal aid continues flowing to programs serving the most vulnerable Texans.
August
Texas State JailsTime for a Reboot?
Texas’ state jails program was created in 1993 to provide a less-restrictive institutional setting for nonviolent felons. Today, state jails are more commonly used to temporarily hold felons on their way to conventional prison units, leading to calls for a reset of the program.
June/July
Motor Fuels Taxes in a Changing Texas Transportation SceneShould Texas Rethink the Way it Funds Roads?
Since 1923 Texas has used motor fuels excise taxes to maintain roads and bridges. But while driving has changed drastically, the taxes we depend on to fund roads haven’t.
June/July
Equity Crowdfunding in TexasA Funding Tool for Small Business
Recent changes in state and federal securities regulations allow businesses to access funding from small investors without many of the hurdles of traditional business investment.
May
Emergency Management in TexasHow the State Prepares for the Worst
The Texas Division of Emergency Management, a division of the Texas Department of Public Safety, coordinates state and local responses to natural disasters and other emergencies in Texas. It’s a complex but essential task.
May
“Future-Proofing” Texas Against Natural DisasterThe State Plans for the Next Storm
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s destruction, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott assembled the Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas to recommend improvements in communication, coordination and infrastructure to lessen the impact of future disasters.
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