There are five propositions up for vote in Houston, otherwise known as “bond issues.” For those of you unfamiliar with the way this works, here’s a quick FAQ. Bond issues do not technically require a tax increase because they are paid by essentially borrowing money, which is later paid back with interest. Investors buy the bonds, which are attractive because returns are nearly guaranteed, and because of the low tax rate typically attached to interest. However, because […]
Too often we pay critical attention to national policy debates and miss the ones going on under our noses. Many Houstonians are unaware that on March 20, the City Council considered and thankfully postponed new regulations on feeding the homeless which would have made it much more difficult for local charities and generous individuals to meet the needs of the city’s poor. Community members pushed back and a revised version of the ordinance will be […]
Let’s start with Houston – Our city charter requires that the mayor receive a majority vote. When this doesn’t happen the top two vote-getters go at it again in a run-off election. Such is now the case between Annise Parker and Gene Locke, who will go face to face in December. Per my explanation below, I voted for Parker. She wasn’t the perfect candidate, but the perfect candidate didn’t exist, and the only other decent […]
Wesley Gant 