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The Family Homestead Initiative
In November, Austin City Council approved the Family Homestead Initiative. According to the Austin Monitor, Council Member Delia Garza, who sponsored the measure, said she wants to create a separate permitting process for homeowners because they shouldn’t have to contend with the same regulations as large developers. Reducing regulations is always a good thing and…
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School Choice is the Moral Policy
Each legislative session, government school financing is one of the most controversial issues on the agenda. And each legislative session, nearly every party involved—legislators, parents, teachers, and taxpayers—walks away unhappy. The controversy and dissatisfaction will continue unabated until fundamental reform of the educational system is enacted. About 90 percent of all children in Texas attend…
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Harvey’s Aftermath
This week, Harris County approved new development regulations intended to reduce flooding. New homes in unincorporated areas of the county will have to be built to higher standards, including elevations that may be 8 feet higher than previously required. The new regulations will increase building costs by thousands of dollars, and come at a time…
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Endangering the Human Species
John Yearwood, a rancher in Williamson County, is fighting the federal government over the Endangered Species Act. His ranch is home to the Bone Cave Harvestman spider, which has been listed as an endangered species since 1988. Yearwood is concerned that, if he disturbs the spider’s habitat, he will incur the wrath of the U.S….
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The Cost of Compromise
In modern politics, compromise is widely regarded as a virtue. “Reaching across the aisle”–working with one’s political opponents, is seen as the paradigm of leadership. But compromise is neither a virtue nor leadership. It is moral cowardice. In any compromise between good and evil, only the evil will win. For example, let us say that…
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Cronyism in Cedar Park
The Dallas Morning News reports that government officials in Cedar Park recently approved a plan to create a special tax zone in the city’s downtown area. The plan is expected to generate $160 million in investments in the area. Such tax zones are used throughout the state to generate funds to improve the infrastructure in…
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Principles as a Policy
With low taxes and fewer regulations, Texas is known as a business friendly state. But it really depends on what business you are in. This was evident in the 2017 legislative session when law makers imposed new restrictions on small breweries. Craft brewers who produce more than a specified amount of beer and sell directly…
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You Must Accommodate
A Houston woman is suing her employer, United Airlines, for allegedly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The airline, the flight attendant claims, is not accommodating her need to wear clogs because of foot problems. Interestingly, the airline allows employees to wear the shoes of their choice while on a plane, but in an…
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The Gridlock Economy
In The Gridlock Economy: How Too Much Ownership Wrecks Markets, Stops Innovation, and Costs Lives, Michael Heller argues that Private ownership usually creates wealth. But too much ownership has the opposite effect—it creates gridlock. Gridlock is a free market paradox. When too many people own pieces of one thing, cooperation breaks down, wealth disappears, and…
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A Flood of Money
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, officials in Harris County have announced plans to buy some homes that have flooded multiple times. The argument is that it is cheaper for taxpayers to buy the homes, demolish them, and turn the land into green space rather than continuing to rebuild. While this may be true, it…
