Houston finds itself at a crossroads, wrestling with a financial dilemma that could shape its future. Mayor John Whitmire’s recent announcement to allocate at least $100 million annually towards addressing the city’s dire infrastructure needs is both a beacon of hope and a signal of impending urgency. This seismic shift comes on the heels of
Politics
Natural disasters are an inevitable part of life, often striking without warning and causing a devastating aftermath. However, the response—or lack thereof—by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can make an already unbearable situation even worse. Recent events in Washington and North Carolina shine a stark light on how ineffective federal disaster response can hurt
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent decision to sign a supplemental budget bill, Assembly Bill 100, has stirred significant political unrest and skepticism. The bill allocates a staggering $2.8 billion to tackle Medi-Cal’s unexpectedly high costs. While proponents tout the positives of expanded healthcare coverage, the financial implications paint a troubling picture. Such decisions not only
In a bold yet contentious move, 16 states alongside the District of Columbia have initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the withdrawal of crucial federal funding designed to mitigate the learning losses incurred during the pandemic. California and New York lead this coalition, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. The stakes are high:
This past Thursday marked a significant, albeit precarious, milestone for the Republican leadership with the narrow passage of President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” in the House of Representatives. Winning by a slim margin of 216-214, the accomplishment was less a celebration than a siren call of desperation. Striking deals with a cadre of dissenting
In 2025, an unsettling revelation emerged: the top 25 state and local pension funds witnessed a staggering depreciation in the value of their public equities investments totaling nearly $250 billion. The implications of this financial catastrophe can’t be overstated. This isn’t merely a matter of numbers; these losses ripple through state and local economies, affecting
The political atmosphere in Washington, D.C., is not just charged; it’s a brewing fiscal storm. The city’s financial health hangs by a thread, with a staggering $1.1 billion deficit looming due to a missing budget provision after the recent continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House. This oversight isn’t merely a bureaucratic hiccup; it signals
The discourse surrounding tax-exempt municipal bonds in Congress is heating up, with implications that extend far beyond mere fiscal mechanics. Academics from prestigious institutions, including Justin Marlowe from the University of Chicago and Martin Luby from the University of Texas, have come forward with a cautionary policy brief that underscores a critical issue: cutting the
The recently passed fiscal 2025 budget resolution is projected to be an explosive catalyst in U.S. economic policy, unfortunately not in a positive sense. Though positioned as a vehicle for tax cuts and spending reductions, the details divulge a disturbing trend towards fiscal irresponsibility. The budget, sanctioned by the Senate, aims to extend the Tax
As the Trump administration embarks on its ambitious agenda of implementing aggressive tariffs, altering immigration policies, and reshaping government spending, the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. economy is palpable. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s cautious stance reflects a broader need for introspection among economists and stakeholders. Rather than hastily reacting to government policies, the Fed is