A gross overreach in Houston
In today’s polarized society, it’s often hard to find areas of consensus. But thanks to the city of Houston's outlandish subpoenas of pastors' sermons, we’ve found something that we can all agree on.
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Ban flights from Ebola-stricken nations
Our first obligation must be to protect U.S. citizens. That’s why airport screenings aren’t enough.
Don't bust the spending cap
We're committed to limiting the size and reach of government. That's why we'd oppose a vote early next year to bust the state's spending cap.
Look beyond the wheelchairs
Now that both gubernatorial candidates have pulled out the wheelchairs, let's get past the imagery and discuss real disability issues in Texas.
The Ireland-Texas connection
Austin will soon be home to one of the first new Irish consulates in the U.S. in decades. Here's why.
Texas' forgotten heroes
Juan Seguín, José Antonio Navarro, Lorenzo de Zavala. Recognize any of those names? If not, you may be a victim of political correctness.
Can Texas Democrats win while losing?
Republicans appear poised to again sweep this year's statewide elections. But dig deeper into the data and you'll find faint signs of long-term promise for Texas Democrats, even if their standard-bearer loses in November.
The real crisis in Texas isn't Ebola
If we can marshal local, state and federal resources to prevent the outbreak of a deadly virus in Texas, why can't we respond to other long-term crises like health coverage and education?
The true test for Texas is what comes after Ebola
If Ebola had to arrive anywhere in in the U.S., Texas, which boasts a robust public health infrastructure, may have been the best place. We’ll be ready for the next outbreak, too. But we can’t do it alone.
The trouble with toll roads in Texas
Texans aren't so fond of toll roads these days, and for good reason. They allow politicians to take credit for shiny new projects while letting them off the hook for making tough decisions on transportation funding.
Preschool for all?
Texas — and every state — needs to focus its attention on high-quality pre-kindergarten education, delivered through a system of public and private partnerships.
Why Denton should ban fracking
A prohibition on fracking in Denton will make the city healthier, safer and more prosperous. Next month, voters should ignore the industry's attempts at deception and exaggeration and approve the ban.
Why Denton shouldn't ban fracking
A measure on the November ballot in Denton won’t just ban fracking. It’ll effectively prohibit all drilling in the city, leading to economic damage and putting property rights at risk. Denton voters should say no to the ban.
5 public health threats in Texas scarier than Ebola
Even now that an Ebola case has been confirmed in Dallas, the chances of the disease spreading in the U.S. are slim. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be worried about infectious diseases, some of which present a far more menacing threat than Ebola.
Fixing what’s wrong with testing in K-12 education
Done right, assessment can be a positive force for teaching and learning.
What Abbott and Davis' ads say about them
Amid the debate performances and fundraising emails, the emotional dynamics on display in the gubernatorial candidates' ad campaigns provide the clearest sense of how each side really views the race.
Texas Democrats' uphill battle, in numbers
State Sen. Wendy Davis is trying to make inroads among women and Anglos this year, but a look at the data from Texas' gubernatorial elections since 1990 underscores the daunting task she and the state's Democratic Party face.
Real reform starts with more visas
The Pentagon last week extended a program designed to bolster our military with more foreign-born recruits. That's a good thing. But we need more new citizens in every occupation and at all skill levels if we want the U.S. to be able to compete.
What will "Hispanic" mean in 2050?
The endless speculation over what a majority-Hispanic population will mean for Texas politics has largely ignored the fact that several decades from now, “Hispanic” may not mean what it does today.
5 takeaways from TribuneFest
Given the high-level discourse that pervades The Texas Tribune Festival, it may seem uncouth to scrutinize the event in the context of polling. But it's a useful way to analyze what was happening onstage.