Texas’s Hottest Race
National pundits opining on Texas elections say that the governor’s race is the one to watch, but Texans themselves are perhaps even more focused on the race for Harris County Judge.
Entries by Charles Blain
Houston Asks Voters to Approve $478 Million in New Debt
by Charles Blain — Despite being awash with federal aid, $607 million since 2021, and benefiting from annual property tax increases, $27 million more this year, the City of Houston is asking voters this November to approve $478 million in local debt.
The Next American Cities, a New Report from Urban Reform Institute
by Charles Blain — Our recently released report, The Next American Cities, offers an answer to the problems plaguing those living in and near major cities, with a combination of affordability, amenities, and proximity to jobs.
Demographia United States Housing Affordability, 2021 Edition
The Urban Reform Institute is pleased to present the 2021 edition of Demographia United States Housing Affordability.
A Conservative Opening on Urban Policy Reform
by Charles Blain — As riots and Covid-related economic problems have afflicted America’s big cities, the Right has a rare opportunity to take up the mantle of urban reform.
Reform, Not Defunding
by Charles Blain — Protests, and calls for defunding police departments have spread across the U.S. in recent months, but Black communities around the United States want better interactions with law enforcement, not the abolition of police departments.
The Virus’s Uneven Path
by Charles Blain and Joel Kotkin — In this miserable COVID-19 spring, it’s tempting for remote workers to vent our frustrations with being hemmed in, forced to stare at screens while unable to do much else other than walk around the block or go to Costco. Yet the pain felt by the teleworking middle class is dwarfed by that of working-class Americans.
Urban Reform Institute is a Partnership of Center for Opportunity Urbanism and Urban Reform
The Center for Opportunity Urbanism has partnered with fellow nonprofit, Urban Reform, and, going forward, will operate under the name Urban Reform Institute (URI).