Why Texans' views on the economy may be shifting
The state’s job market, while still strong, has softened. And new polling and analysis show that Texans have noticed.
More Columns
Promoting smart justice for the mentally ill
Two bills under consideration in the Legislature offer a basic but significant way to reduce recidivism rates among the mentally ill in Texas jails.
Don't turn back the clock on tobacco prevention
Tobacco prevention is good health policy and good fiscal policy. So it's troubling that the Texas Senate’s budget proposal would reduce tobacco prevention funding by over 30 percent.
5 conflicts to watch as session's end draws near
Legislative sessions always include a big fight or two, but the mix of conflicts this year could make for an especially tense finale. Here's what to watch.
2 bills that could save lives
Our families were shaken by preventable diseases. The Texas Legislature should help make sure no family goes through the same thing.
Empowering Texas doctors to provide first-class care
TMA PracticeEdge, LLC, helps empower a strong base of independent physicians to provide quality, cost-effective care to their patients.
Texas kids need more after-school options
Local governments and philanthropists are working to ensure access to these crucial programs, but it’s time for the state to step up.
Trust the data: Pre-K is good for kids
As the Legislature continues to debate the future of pre-kindergarten in Texas, new data confirm that investing in early childhood education is good for both students and the state.
Texas homeowners deserve a break, not the blame
Texas already has some of the highest insurance premiums in the country. Now, industry lobbyists are backing an outrageous piece of legislation that would punish customers even more.
How nixing a business tax will help all Texans
When it comes to basic government services, state lawmakers have met Texans’ needs — and then some. Now it’s time to let taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned dollars.
What it's like to be transgender at the Texas Capitol
I deliberately chose to be present at the Capitol as I went through my physical transition — to be seen, to answer questions, to give those in power a chance to know a transgender person in real life.
Texans are helping the world fight tuberculosis
Millions of people throughout the world die each year from tuberculosis. Researchers at one Texas university are working to prevent that.
Level the playing field for Texas liquor stores
The alcohol industry is of no specific concern to me, but I know a bad law when I see it. The Legislature has no business suppressing anyone's right to compete in the free market.
The historical case for changing a Confederate holiday
The 13-year-old leading the charge to change Confederate Heroes Day is right: The Civil War was complicated and tragic for Texas in ways that the holiday doesn't remotely recognize.
Texas knows how to solve health care problems
Hospitals are once again struggling to maintain services and, in some cases, stay open at all. A solution exists. Texas just needs to adopt it.
Honor our veterans by fixing tuition program
As chancellors of the two largest higher education systems in Texas, we’re strongly committed to maintaining tuition benefits for veterans. But the current system is unsustainable.
What makes Texans in Washington different
It's no surprise that Texans in Congress are conservative, but are they really that much more conservative than their colleagues from other red states?
For long-term care, Medicaid funding is key
Medicaid payment reform for skilled nursing care is crucial in retooling our health delivery infrastructure to better serve our elderly loved ones.
It's time to modernize voter registration in Texas
Texas needs a 21st century voter registration system that’s secure, efficient and inclusive. That should include online voter registration.
Texas' "border security" strategy is anything but conservative
The state's approach to securing the border is the very definition of throwing money at a trumped-up issue that helps politicians win elections but serves no public policy purpose.